Also top French rider after two days of racing

April 11, 2007 - Angers, France - April 11 Angers, FRANCE - Team Slipstream/Chipotle’s young French rider Kilian Patour has gotten off to a good start in the 55th Circuit de la Sarthe, where he is currently sitting in 3rd place overall after three stages over the past two days.

The former French U23 National Champion started his season early this year in February’s Tour de Langkawi, and has recently begun to show promising form as Team Slipstream/Chipotle has been undertaking a heavy racing campaign in France this month.

At Circuit de la Sarthe, Patour used a time bonus gained early in Stage 1 (190 km) to grab 2nd overall at the end of the day. In the field sprint finish, Team Slipstream/Chipotle’s Steven Cozza finished 26th, William Frischkorn 28th.

Wednesday’s 100 km Stage 2a finished in a field sprint as well. Patour tried his hand early with a solo breakaway and gained three minutes over the field, before Team Director Johnny Weltz decided it would be wiser for Patour to conserve some energy for the afternoon time trial. Slipstream/Chipotle’s top finishers were Steven Cozza in 21st and Taylor Tolleson in 28th.

After a mid-day rest break, the riders suited up again for the Stage 2b time trial. Weltz’s decision to pull the plug on the morning breakaway attempt paid off, as Patour posted a tremendous ride on the 8.8 km course in Angers. He finished 5th, only 18 seconds behind winner Andreas Kloden. Steven Cozza also rode a strong time trial, winding up in 31st place, just over 30 seconds down.

Heading into Thursday’s Stage 3, Patour is sitting in 3rd place overall, just 11 seconds out of the lead.