Thomas Voeckler begins his Tour preparations after a good end to his classics campaign
Thomas Voeckler of Team Europcar had a terrific end to his 2012 Spring Classics programme.
He finished the Liege-Bastogne-Liege at the fourth place and also filled his bag with victory at the Brabantse Pijl 2012.
The cyclist was looking good for an overall victory at the race but had to face the disappointment after the crash that ruined his chances for the top podium spot.
Philippe Gilbert, Alejandro Valverde and Thomas Voeckler approached towards the terrifying climb of the La Redoute in a same time.
Gilbert crossed the climb with no problems at all while things became quite difficult for Voeckler and Valverde.
The duo had some technical issues and was thrown back taking a number of cyclists with them.
Maxim Iglinsky of Team Astana kept his cool and secured the top podium spot.
He finished the race in a fastest time of 6 hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds and secured his first victory of the season.
Vincenzo Nibali fell 21 seconds short and achieved the second position with Enrico Gasparotto further 15 seconds behind at the third position.
Thomas recovered from the crash in time and claimed the fourth overall spot at the event.
While commenting on his fourth place finish, he told L’Equipe, “I crashed by myself and without really understanding why. It was raining and maybe I slid on a manhole".
"I chased on my own in the climb and of course I left some energy there. After that I scared myself a little in the bends on the descent”.
“The solo effort certainly took some strength from me".
"A fourth place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège is not bad but we still have reason to be disappointed, I know that he was very strong and that he had the means to win".
The 32-year old marked his professional debut with Team Bonjour in 2001 and has shown faith in the French side for the 12th consecutive season.
Voeckler finished 4th during the most recent version of the Tour de France and also held the yellow jersey from stage 10-19.
The French is now targeting the 2012 version of the Tour de France and his training will began at the Tropicale Amissa Bongo which begins on Tuesday.
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