Martinez Third at Faun Drôme as Govekar Fourth at Kuurne–Brussel–Kuurne
# Bahrain Victorious Shines with Podium Finishes at Faun Drôme and Kuurne–Brussel–Kuurne
Bahrain Victorious wrapped up an exhilarating weekend of racing in France and Belgium, earning a podium finish and a commendable top-five result. Lenny Martinez, a promising 22-year-old climber, secured third place at the Faun Drôme Classic (1.Pro), marking his second consecutive podium appearance following his earlier success at the Faun-Ardèche Classic.
The competitive 189 km race in the Ardèche–Drôme region, which commenced and concluded in Étoile-sur-Rhône, saw the decisive action unfold just 14 kilometers from the finish line. Romain Grégoire (Groupama–FDJ) and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike) established a breakaway that ultimately determined the race’s outcome. Grégoire triumphed in a sprint against Jorgenson, while a reduced chasing group, including Martinez, attempted to bridge the gap but fell short, finishing merely two seconds behind.
Reflecting on his performance, Martinez expressed, “Yes, I’m happy with today! The finale was quite tactical; unfortunately, I missed the right move, but I managed to hold on for third place thanks to the team, who helped me. We’re heading home with two podium finishes. I’m happy, but I’m missing that feeling of winning. Hopefully, it will come soon.”
Team Sports Director Roman Kreuziger praised the squad’s overall effort: “We knew it would be one of those races with early attackers, and Rainer Kepplinger showed excellent commitment, pulling for almost 120 kilometers. Then other teams took over, but we always had riders around Lenny to protect and position him at the key moments. Overall, we are very happy with the team, the spirit of the riders, and the way they raced. This is the attitude we want to carry into the next races.”
In Belgium, Matevž Govekar added to the team’s success by finishing fourth in a photo finish at the Kuurne–Brussel–Kuurne. The 25-year-old Slovenian showcased strategic racing skills throughout the day, contributing to Bahrain Victorious’s proactive approach.
Govekar remarked, “I’m happy with how the race unfolded. We followed our plan to race aggressively with Matej and to make sure our fast riders could survive the race. It’s a bittersweet fourth place, but for me personally, it’s a step forward compared to how I usually perform in these Belgian races. We really raced as a team.”
Sports Director Michał Gołaś echoed Govekar’s sentiments, stating, “We’re happy to be so close to the podium, and especially with how we raced as a team. Matevž did a great job; he was active all day and showed excellent form in the sprint. Chapeau to the guys. This gives us confidence for a strong cobbled campaign.”
With a spirited showing at the Opening Weekend, Bahrain Victorious is set to field a young roster at the upcoming Ename Samyn Classic on Tuesday, aiming to maintain their momentum through the rest of the season.
