While chasing the King of the Mountains (KOM) classification at the Tropicale Amissa Bongo last week Jayde Julius managed to win the sprinter’s jersey instead.
It was during the second stage that Julius, of ProTouch, decided to ride up the road to be involved in a breakaway group.
“I was going to go for the KOM but I ended up going for that and the points [sprinter’s classification]. I tried to snatch as many points as possible,” Julius told In the Bunch.
“When I discovered how good my form was I saw I was actually one of the fastest climbers in every breakaway on the respective stages. That worked in my favour.
“I spent most of the tour in the breakaway over the seven days. I just rode really well. I surprised myself.”
ProTouch’s Jayde Julius (pictured) managed to win the sprinter’s jersey at the Tropicale Amissa Bongo last week, while chasing the KOM classification. Photo: Supplied
Despite not claiming the KOM title at the end of the race, Julius said “going for everything” was the key to his winning the points jersey in an event deemed “the sprinter’s tour”.
“After seeing the time bonuses on the first stage I saw that if I could go for the seconds and points then it would keep me high on the general classification.
“I was lying in third on the points after stage four and that’s when it became a goal.”
He saw an opportunity to strike when he made it into the various breakaways for the rest of the tour, while the rider leading the points at the time remained in the peloton.
“I made up many points on each day and after stage five it became a priority.
“I knew I had to bring the jersey home and Tony [Harding, the team manager] told me to go for it.”
Julius, who was crowned the SA Road Cycling Series champ last year, gathered maximum points on stage six, which was when he “confirmed the jersey”, he said.
“I spent almost the entire race in a breakaway with a rider from Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec and one from Ethiopia.”
He had to defend a two-point lead on the final stage but with his closest rival having remained in the peloton to defend his team’s GC ambitions, he managed to secure the jersey.
“After everything settled I pulled off a sprint for Rohan [du Plooy] and he finished in the top 10.
“The tour was fantastic and I’m over the moon with the result.”
The 25-year-old said he had entered the Gabonese race slightly low on confidence after the Mpumalanga Tour earlier this month, which the team used as a training block.
“I can only thank the team for this result,” Julius said. “To win a points jersey in a UCI 2.1 [graded] race was a good way to start the season.”
The Tropicale boasted a highly competitive field with an assortment of internationally renowned riders taking part and Julius said they originally banked on Reynard Butler taking on the team’s GC aspirations.
However Butler crashed out of the race and Du Plooy had to make a step up. He finished 11th overall and racked up five top-10 results.
The tour was won by Direct Energie’s Niccolo Bonifazio, six seconds clear of Vital Concept-B&B Hotels’ Lorrenzo Manzin in second.
