“Our plan was to control the race from the start and we executed it perfectly. First, with Simone Petilli controlling the pace in the peloton and then with Lilian Calmejane reducing the gap with the breakaways in the last 20 kilometers. We knew it was important to choose the right line in a super fast finale with several roundabouts. This is why Tom Paquot, Georg Zimmermann, Dion Smith and my lead out Madis Mihkels made sure I could start the last hectometers in the slipstream of INEOS Grenadiers. Thanks to the exemplary work of my teammates all day, I was able to sprint towards my first victory of the season. This is the third year in a row that I win in January with Intermarché-Wanty, which is excellent for our confidence. We have a lot of fun together here in Australia, on and off the bike. This evening, we will probably enjoy a glass of bubbles, before focusing on the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on Sunday! »
