Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X rode into the historic city of Toulouse with teammate Mauro Schmid to contest Stage 11 of the Tour de France, where one rider would earn their first career stage win. The other would leave empty-handed.
Breakaways are rare successes that require a strong rider and a good gambler. Abrahamsen worked well with Schmid into the final kilometer, pursued by Mathieu van der Poel, before making a daring move to take the lead. However, Schmid was ready and gave Abrahamsen a thrilling sprint, beating him by millimeters.
The stage was a perfect opportunity for both riders, but only one could emerge victorious. Abrahamsen’s winning strategy involved forcing a confrontation with van der Poel and his group, knowing that a strong response from the chasing pack would have led to disappointment. The Uno-X team’s sports director, Stig Kristiansen, had anticipated this breakaway move months ago.
The aftermath of the stage saw Schmid left shattered by second place, while Abrahamsen celebrated with his jubilant teammates and fans. For Schmid, a stage win at the Giro d’Italia remains his biggest career achievement. Despite his disappointment, he acknowledged that second place was still an incredible result for him.
The stage marked Uno-X’s first Grand Tour stage win, providing an unforgettable moment for Abrahamsen and his team. As the Norwegian fans chanted and waved flags near the Jayco bus, it became clear that this victory would be etched in the memories of cycling enthusiasts worldwide.
Source: https://defector.com/what-its-like-to-lose-from-the-winning-move