Published on : 09/16/2026
At the very top of the Namur citadel, after a 3km climb on cobblestones, Milan Fretin put in a stunning performance, using his puncheur’s strength to take third place in a race contested at a blistering pace.
Yesterday, bad luck struck the team with the injury to Hugo Page, who had arrived in Belgium with high hopes. But today, Milan Fretin made a big impression by showing that he was much more than just a sprinter. Well-positioned throughout the day, it was on the gruelling climb to the Citadel of Namur that he really impressed. Always among the frontrunners, he found himself in a group of four chasing the two leaders. He then launched his sprint 300 metres from the line in an attempt to catch up with them and with Sparfel, who had broken away just before. He ultimately finished third and has once again shown that he has been in the form of his life since the end of the Tour de France. And that’s just as well, as his season isn’t over yet.
Quotes
Sébastien Demarbaix
“The team was very well positioned over the final 30 kilometres and in the closing stages, when Tim Wellens broke away, we saw a superb performance from Sam Maisonobe, who got on his wheel and followed him. After the peloton regrouped, Piet Allegaert once again did a superb job of getting Milan back into position at the foot of the Citadel. He was then able to stay amongst the front riders throughout the climb, and we can be very pleased with Milan’s podium finish – he produced a brilliant sprint. Overall, it’s a positive result; we’re satisfied.”