ProTeam Vito Braet sprints to impressive second place in Paris-Nice opener
# Exciting Start to Paris-Nice: Vito Braet Finishes Second
The opening stage of the prestigious Paris–Nice race delivered a thrilling spectacle, with a determined breakaway setting the pace for much of the day. Sébastien Grignard, representing Intermarché–Lotto, was a standout in this move, leading the charge until late in the competition. The breakaway group built a commendable lead that kept them at the forefront until the final moments, leading to a frenetic sprint as the main peloton prepared for the uphill finish.
Reflecting on the stage, Braet noted, *“The final was quite hectic because the breakaway managed to stay ahead until quite far in the final and because of the last 10 km that went uphill. Thanks to Luca (Van Boven), I managed to survive the climb. I knew that after the descent the last left corner would be crucial.”*
Once the breakaway was caught, Braet seized the opportunity, strategically positioning himself for the sprint. Launching his attack from behind, he showcased impressive speed as he closed the gap on his competitors. However, despite a valiant effort, he finished just shy of catching Luke Lamperti of EF Education EasyPost, finishing in a strong second place.
In his post-race comments, Braet expressed mixed emotions, stating, *“I managed to ride my sprint the way I wanted but I only came a bit too late to catch up with Lamperti. Of course I am a little disappointed. I really felt that winning was possible today. But my personal feeling is really good and the team did an incredible job.”*
With Grignard’s dedicated performance in the breakaway and Braet’s near victory in the sprint, the Intermarché-Lotto team has set a promising tone for this year’s Paris–Nice, ready to tackle the stages ahead with renewed confidence and determination.
