The final day of racing at the Tour de l’Ain saw the peloton take on the queen stage of the race, with around 2800 metres of climbing packed into 120 kilometres of racing. It was a fast start with multiple attacks at the head of the peloton before eventually a large group escaped.
With some dangerous riders in the breakaway group, Team DSM came to the front of the peloton and started setting the pace, looking to reel in the break. The group ahead splintered, leaving a now seven rider group out front, leading by 50 seconds with 35 kilometres to go. Tackling the last categorised one of the race, the team did a good job to keep Storer safe before the pace increased at the front and the group thinned down as riders dropped one-by-one.
Approaching the top of the climb, the yellow jersey was dropped and Storer found himself in an elite group of six. Sensing a lull in pace, Storer launched an attack over the top of the group, forging on clear at the front of the race alone. With the five chasers looking at each other, the Team DSM rider managed to build up a 20-second gap going onto the descent, an advantage he held starting the final uncategorised ascent to the line.
Riding a steady tempo for the final 12 kilometres of uphill, Storer continued to increase his lead over the chasers as they squabbled behind. Having enough time to sit up and celebrate, Storer raised his arms aloft, celebrating a well-earned win and securing the GC victory at the same time too.
“I can’t believe it,” said Storer at the finish. “Coming across the finish line I was very emotional. I’ve been waiting four years for a victory.
“I’ve worked so hard for the past four years, improving every year and the team has been behind me all the way. It’s a long process and we always knew it was possible, but to make it happen on the day is a whole other thing. We had a really good plan, had really good discussions with the guys and we knew exactly the way to win this bike race – it went perfectly.
“The guys went completely full in for me. We have a super young team here, with two guys from our development program, and I’m so so happy to win today and finish it off for the team.”
Storer came into the WorldTour at just 20 years of age, as one of the youngest riders of a superb climbing generation within the Australian cycling scene. He was prominent in support of Romain Bardet at the Giro d’Italia, and proved at Tour de l’Ain that he could ride for his one ambitions as well.
“We made the plan that Michael should attack on the first category climb, and he attacked at two kilometres from the top, just like our plan,” Team DSM coach Wilbert Broekhuizen added. “From there he just kept pushing and brought it home to the finish.
“I’m really proud of how the guys worked today, pulling back that dangerous group and then riding to the plan well. In the end it’s a great and well deserved victory for Michael and the team.”
Storer is set to line up at the Vuelta a Espana with Team DSM, with the race to be broadcast live on SBS from August 14.
