Matthew Riccitello got in the way of INEOS but "in the end we played it perfectly" at Tour de la Provence queen stage

The Tour de la Provence moved forward despite the freezing conditions at the summit finish of the Montagne de Lure, and it was America's very own Matthew Riccitello who took the win on what was his first in-race climbing challenge after joining Decathlon CMA CGM Team.

“It couldn’t have gone better. The team kept me in position all day and I’m really happy I could finish it off. This is a great start with the team," Riccitello said in a post-race interview. As the peloton arrived together on the opening day and stage 3 features a flat finish, this Saturday's stage was without a doubt the key stage for the overall classification, even if a sprint was to decide the stage.

Hence, when Carlos Rodríguez attacked the final ascent and Riccitello was able to close down the gap, it became very tactical. The victory was not only for the stage, but also overall classification. Both riders had one of their teammates chasing, but Rodríguez played with Riccitello's bluff.

“In the radio I heard we had two cards to play on the final climb, with Aurélien and me. With the headwind I knew Aurélien had the best punch and he was close, so I stayed on Carlos’ wheel.” Rodríguez didn't force his rival to go through, and so in the final sprint the expected outcome took place.

"Because he’s fast too but in the end we played it perfectly. I decided to go early and I think that was the right decision — also because Aurélien couldn’t come back anymore," he concluded.

The French team made a bet on the former Israel - Premier Tech rider which is proving to be a strong investment right from the start, as was the case with Tobias Lund Andresen who achieved several victories in Australia. Riccitello was fifth last year at the Vuelta a España and this year he will follow a similar schedule in which he will race plenty stage-races and later on the Spanish Grand Tour only.