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Anthony Turgis caught just metres from the line
Close finish in #EurométropoleTour. Jimmy Turgis overpassed by sprinters on the line. Victory for the rider of @FortuneoOscaro, @McLayDan. http://pic.twitter.com/V0DLl4iiIQ
— Brain on Wheels ? (@BrainOnWheels) October 1, 2017
Dan McLay (Fortuneo-Oscaro) claimed just his second victory of the 2017 season, as he won the Tour de l’Eurométropole in an extraordinary final sprint.
An attacking finale had seen Anthony Turgis (Cofidis) escape from the small leading pack shortly before the flamme rouge, taking a decent lead into the finishing straight.
For a while it looked as if the Frenchman would hold on to take the win, but in the final hundred metres he began to seriously tie up, as McLay led the sprinters from behind.
Still, with 25 metres remaining and still in front, Turgis thought he had the win in the bag, raising his arms in celebration…before realising his mistake.
Turgis hadn’t bargained on the speed that McLay was coming from behind, and the Brit was able to pass the Cofidis rider at the last possible moment, with Kenny Dehaes (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) also coming passed to push Turgis down into third.
Remembered how to win today! Chuffed to bits! Think would have got it without the early celebration just but not 100%! 1/2…
— Dan McLAY (@McLAYDan) October 1, 2017
Those of you with good memories will know that McLay has previous when it comes to producing memorable sprint finishes, winning the 2015 GP de Denain in a mesmerising sprint that saw him weave his way through a densely packed field of riders in the final 150m.
Having picked up just his second victory of the year – his first having come way back in January at the Trofeo Palma -the 25-year-old will now conclude his 2017 season at Paris-Bourges on Thursday.
This may also be McLay’s final race with the Fortuneo-Oscaro team, with his contract coming to an end this season and the team expected to take more of a GC focus in 2018 with the arrival of Warren Barguil.