“There is a little bit of frustration” - Nicolas Prodhomme left with mixed feelings after fifth place finish at the Clásica Jaén

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale fell just short of the victory after a strong team performance at the Clásica Jaén, as they finished in second place with Bastien Tronchon and fifth place with Nicolas Prodhomme behind the winner Oier Lazkano, as the Movistar rider rode solo to victory on the gravel roads, having been part of the early breakaway.

Prodhomme had also been part of that early breakaway and was in a two-man group with Lazkano until 14km to go, as he attempted an attack before being counter-attacked and dropped by the Spaniard on the final gravel sector.

Reflecting after the race, Prodhomme said in an interview with his team that “there is a little bit of frustration to have done everything in front and to be caught again a few kilometres from the finish”.

Prodhomme was eventually caught by the group behind in the final kilometres and worked with them, pulling at the front of the group in order to help his teammate Tronchon. In the sprint for second place, Tronchon came from behind to beat Jan Tratnik and Tim Wellens, securing his place on the podium.

In his post-race interview, Tronchon said “We were hoping that Nicolas Prodhomme would be able to catch Oier Lazkano, who was alone in the lead, but that didn't happen. So behind, with a small group, we came back on Nicolas, who rode, and I settled the counter-attack sprint to finish second. Unfortunately we didn't win, but it shows that we're clearly up to scratch and can compete with the top teams”.