If Pozzato had worked: "We were gone. Now, he has nothing."
If you're ever looking for a forthright assessment of a bike race, one needs look no further than Belgium's Bjorn Leukemans. The Classics strongman works hard on the road, and keeps the effort going afterwards when a mic comes into the mix.
Following today's strong Belgian effort, which saw Gilbert define the final lap and Leukemans present in the strong move behind, Leukemans had only harsh words for Italy's leader, Filippo Pozzato.
"After my attack in the penultimate lap, we had six at the front. Why would Filippo Pozzato not work in it? Had he done so, we were gone. Now he has nothing."
Leukemans's assessment of Pozzato's riding seems a valid one. After the race, Pozzato didn't mention the powerful move that went clear inside 25 kilometers to go, but rather, noted the cramps he suffered from when Gilbert attacked on the final lap.
"In the final lap, when Gilbert attacked, I had cramps."
Perhaps cramps played a role in Pozzato's non-cooperation, or perhaps, more probable it would seem, Pozzato was riding as he normally does - cautiously and without going all in, something not at all familiar to riders like Leukemans or Gilbert, who are willing to go all in perhaps to the point of fault.
The winner of the recent Druivenkoers was somewhat skeptical of his Belgian captain's move on the day's penultimate climb, thinking that the effort would have been better served on the final ascent of the day.
"In the final lap, I think it would have been better for Philippe to wait until the final hill to attack, but it's no use crying over spilled milk."
Overall, even the easily irritated Leukemans was pleased with the Belgian effort: "We raced like we had said beforehand. We wanted to race the course hard and not wait for the final lap."