Is Anthony Turgis maybe the least-discussed Milan-San Remo podium finisher in latest reminiscence? With Peter Sagan on his TotalEnergies group and different superstars like Tadej Pogačar, Wout van Aert, and Mathieu van der Poel racing – after which Matej Mohorič’s dropper post-assisted victory – it was maybe no shock that the Frenchman has flown beneath the radar.
Whereas Mohorič was out entrance soloing to the win on the By way of Roma, Turgis wasn’t far behind having jumped out of the big-name chase group just some seconds again down the street. He led residence the chase behind the winner, at simply two seconds down the perfect of the remaining.
The 27-year-old Turgis has six wins on his palmarès and was a dash off a Tour of Flanders podium spot two years in the past, however second at La Classicissima is his largest consequence but. Nevertheless, talking after the race he appeared extra annoyed than overjoyed with the race end result.
“We got here right here to win,” Turgis advised Cyclism’Actu afterwards. “If you see that the victory is inside attain and within the legs, it is a bit irritating.
“We’ll say that it was an excellent day too, we mustn’t see solely the unfavorable. It is an excellent omen for the long run for me.”
Unhealthy luck hit TotalEnergies in the midst of the ultimate when Sagan hit a mechanical hitch on the fast run to the Cipressa. The three-time world champion would not see the entrance of the race once more, ultimately rolling residence at six minutes down.
Turgis, then, was left up entrance for the French squad, racing alongside Daniel Oss and native hero Niccolò Bonifazio. He assumed management and rode race into San Remo to take that second-place end.
“It went very quick,” Turgis stated of these final 30 kilometres. “On the prime of the Cipressa, there have been solely about 40 riders, and I knew it was going to be very arduous. We left one or two riders with me as a result of we knew that the positioning was essential.
“Once I noticed that Mohorič was making the descent, I advised myself that the opposite riders wouldn’t depart an excessive amount of of a spot. On the backside of the descent, we had been only a bit brief.”
To date in his profession, Turgis has put collectively Classics consequence right here and there – a second in Dwars door Vlaanderen in 2019, fourth on the Tour of Flanders in 2020, second in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne final season – however hasn’t but scored a giant win.
Final spring was actually his most constant to date, scoring prime 10s at San Remo, Gent-Wevelgem, Dwars, and the Tour of Flanders. Now, with one other 12 months of racing expertise beneath his belt, may this be his 12 months to attain large?
“I do know I’ve the flexibility to win. I simply have to have day and for the planets to align,” he stated.
“Not that a lot truly,” he replied when requested what he is lacking. “With the ability to learn the race properly is an instance of that. I do know I’ve the capabilities to win in a race just like the Tour of Flanders.
“I actually must have day, however then I additionally must waft of race. Within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad earlier this 12 months that wasn’t potential due to punctures and a crash.”
