OmegaPharma-Lotto’s Jurgen Van Den Broeck continues to ride high in the Tour de France, in only his second appearance at the race. He finished today’s stage into Mende just 10 seconds behind winner Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) and second place overall Alberto Contador (Astana). Crossing the line in 4th place, just ahead of yellow jersey Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank), was good for the 27-year-old’s morale, as he told Sporza after the stage.
“It was hard all day,” he said, “constantly up and down, but my team set me up perfectly for the final climb. I set the pace because that makes it a bit easier; at the end I pushed the tempo a bit because I expected an attack.
“After my dip in Paris-Nice [where he lost 2’23” to Contador on a similar stage to Mende] I feared the “Wall of Mende”, but now it’s completely forgotten. I had two low days after the Col de la Madeleine [on stage 9], but now I feel good again.”
Although Contador managed to get away in the end, Van Den Broeck in buoyed by the fact that he managed to stay with the yellow jersey as he pursued the Spaniard.
“That I stayed with Schleck is good for my morale,” he continued. “I’m fifth in the standings and took a little time on my competitors. I’m perfectly on track for the top ten.”
With his current position, Van Den Broek is certainly on course to better his 14th place of last year; he looks set to be the first Belgian to finish inside the top ten since Axel Merckx, son of the legendary Eddy, who was 10th in 1998. The last rider to finish in his current position of fifth was Claude Criquielion 5th in 1986; the last Belgian podium finisher was Lucien Van Impe, who was 2nd in 1981.
As Van Den Broeck heads for the best Belgian Tour finish for 24 years, he has the support and confidence of his team. "The final climb was a slope that he feared; he has no good memories,” OmegaPharma-Lotto team manager Marc Sergeant told Sporza, “but today he has ridden with his head.
"It's not whether he has taken 1, 2 or 20 seconds from his competitors,” he added. “Mentally he improved, while his confidence is fuelled for the Pyrénées."
"Top 3? I do not want to make predictions,” said Sergeant. “Jurgen proves every day that he was worthy of the top 10. Today was even with the best three."
Belgium has not won the Tour since Van Impe took the 1976 race.