Sean Flynn sprints to 2nd after strong team performance at Tour des Alpes-Maritimes

After a good start for Team dsm-firmenich PostNL and their time in France on Friday at the Classic Var, Saturday’s racing saw them take on the opening stage of Tour des Alpes-Maritimes and a hilly parcours awaited them, where Sean Flynn sprinted to second place after some good teamwork.

It was a fast start to proceedings over a challenging opening 50 kilometres but the team came through it well and things eventually settled down with a two rider break going clear. As the kilometres ticked by the breakaway duo worked well together and maintained their two minute advantage as they hit the finishing loops. This prompted an increase of pace in the bunch where Romain Bardet followed a dangerous move and briefly had a gap but his attacking group was soon brought back. Despite the best efforts of Mifsud, who was the last man out front, the peloton made the catch in the closing three kilometres and a reduced group sprint was set-up. The team rode well to bring Sean Flynn into position, who then produced a great turn of speed to get up and take second place at the finish. It was also a triple top ten for the team as Bardet and Kevin Vermaerke finished in seventh and ninth places respectively too; with things finely balanced ahead of Sunday’s second stage.

Flynn expressed: “It was a hard day on the bike with an aggressive start and a tough finishing circuit, but we did a great job as a team to cover the moves. Then the boys did a perfect job putting me in the perfect position going into the final kilometre. I’m super happy to have done a good sprint to take second place in the end.”

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL coach Phil West expressed: “We knew today was going to be an interesting stage because it was quite difficult and technical at the start while the finale had the potential to be explosive depending on how it was rode; so we had to keep an open mind to things. We wanted to of course contest the stage and with a lot of elevation then there was a chance it would maybe end up being a day for Romain, Kevin or Chris but on a circuit like this we also knew Sean could be competitive so we tried to be smart with our energy. From the start we positioned ourselves well and came through the difficult first 40 kilometres in a good way, before coming onto the bigger circuit. The guys really backed each other up and showed some good teamwork, and followed the moves. After that it was about getting the guys into the final and not to concede time. We were active and didn’t miss anything important but also ensured that we were positioned for the final kicker and gave Sean some support. It was a hectic final and in the end Sean was in the right place at the right moment and could do a good final to take a great finish in second place. We can be pleased with how today went and we’re looking forward to giving it another go.”