American sprinter takes third stage of Franco-Belge to finally open season’s account
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp) took his first European victory of the 2013 season at last, as he took the third stage of the Tour de l’Eurométropole - the Circuit Franco-Belge - between Hazebrouck and Nieuwpoort today. The 29-year-old American won the fourth stage of the Tour of California back in May, but had had a frustrating string of podium and top-five places on the other side of the Atlantic so far.
Finally, however, Farrar was able to raise his arms in a European race, beating Argos-Shimano’s Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg and FDJ.fr’s Arnaud Démare in the process.
“I feel a little stronger every day and hope to be back at my best next year,” Farrar said after his victory, according to Het Nieuwsblad. “Paris-Tours [on October 13th] is my last race of the season. Of course I want to get a good result again. I was fifth there once. I hope to do better on the streets of Tours. If your form is good at the end of the season, you go into the winter with your morale right.”
There has been much speculation about Farrar’s team for 2014, with nothing having been confirmed by Garmin-Sharp or the rider himself about whether or not he was to remain at the team where he has been since 2008. When asked by the Belgian media after his victory, however, the American confirmed that he is staying put.
“I be staying at Garmin-Sharp next year,” Farrar said. “I signed on for one more season. The Franco-Belge or EuroMétropole Tour suits me. I am always strong here. My first objective was to win a stage, and now I’ve succeeded.”
Following his stage victory, Farrar sits just seven seconds behind Lotto-Belisol’s Jens Debusschere in the general classification and, with one more stage to go, has a chance to take the overall victory.
“The yellow Jersey? I'm not sitting far away from Jens Debusschere in the standings,” Farrar said. “Tomorrow I will try again to grab a stage win. In this race the general classification is always decided by a few seconds. My primary goal is already achieved though.”