ProTeam Kobe Goossens goes solo in search of stage win at Tour de Romandie

In a rain-soaked third stage of the Tour de Romandie, Lotto Soudal rider Kobe Goossens was the last man standing of an early breakaway of seven. After his last breakaway companion Stefan Küng crashed in the very final of the stage, Kobe Goossens went solo looking for the stage win. Despite leaving it all out on the road and giving a strong impression, the Belgian - who turned 25 yesterday - was caught at about ten kilometres from the finish by what remained of the peloton. Eventually, it was the Spaniard Marc Soler who rode to the stage victory and leader’s jersey.

“The plan to attack was definitely there from the start. Because of a short neutralised start, I warmed up on the rollers to be ready for a possible breakaway”, begins Kobe Goossens. “The pace was quite high in the early stages of the race and gradually, a breakaway formed. I was the last rider to bridge to the front. With time trial champions like Küng and Bissegger, I found myself amongst a strong seven-rider break. Unfortunately, due to my position on the general classification, we weren’t granted a big advantage. That is why we decided to take it easy at first and go all out in the final. When the four of us were left, we went full gas, but we already knew it would be quite difficult to stay away.”

“On the penultimate climb, it was only me and Küng who were left. In the descent, I almost misjudged the corner where the Swiss crashed. I knew right away that Küng had crashed, because it made quite a noise. Then I had to continue alone, but unfortunately I was caught. I don’t think it would’ve made any difference if Küng had still been there. We were really on the limit”, concludes the young Belgian.