Louis Maintus (Intermarché Wanty-Gobert Matériault) was once a strong contender for the Tour de France, finishing in the top 10 twice in the sport's biggest event. But the former contender for the Tour's best young rider award with Simon Yates has faded away in recent years before his star reached its zenith.

But after his solo victory in Thursday's Giro dell'Appennino, the 30-year-old heads into this weekend's Criterium du Dauphiné "with increased confidence."

His victory in a UCI 1.1 ranked race is his first since winning the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali in 2015.

"This victory is a bit unexpected, which is why it tastes sweet," Meintjes said in a press release. 'I've put a lot of effort into building my form over the last few weeks, including the team's high altitude training camp in Andorra. I have put a lot of effort into building my form over the last few weeks, including the team's high altitude training camp in Andorra. It has paid off with good results this week and I hope that the current conditions will bring more good moments. I will go into the Criterium du Dauphiné with a lot of confidence."

Before the Pietraravezzara (6.2km), a climb averaging 7.7%, he was in the lead group of 12 with teammates Quinten Hermans, Lorenzo Rota and Georg Zimmermann.

Then on the final climb, Madonna della Guardia (6.9 km, 7.9%), Maintejes and Zimmermann split into nine riders each. Zimmermann set up on the 15km flat to Genoa, but was caught up, and Meintjes attacked and escaped, winning the race by 1:37 ahead of the rest of the field. Another African, Nathanael Tesfazion (Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli), finished second in the back sprint.

"It's an incredible feeling to be part of such a strong team," said Meintjes.

"From the start, Corby Goossens and Simone Pettilli controlled the race, and then I took over on the last climb. [The course suited Quinten Hermans and Lorenzo Rota very well, and my first goal was to give them the opportunity to start the last flat part to the center of Genoa in a group. Of the breakaway group over the Madonna della Guardia, Meintjes said.

"I slowed down a bit so Georg Zimmermann could join us. I still had the legs and it was easier to get away with him. When he entered the junction, I noticed that my rivals were hesitating. Georg gave me 100 percent motivation and thus I ran solo to my first victory in seven years." [Meintjes, who extended his contract with Intermarque last fall, said the team has helped him get back to his previous level. The South African native finished third overall at the Giro di Sicilia, his first stage race podium since his victory in 2015.

Intermarque Wanty-Gobert is in great form, with two riders in the top 10 at the Giro d'Italia and Lotta in second place on the stage to Genoa, which was won by Alpecin Phoenix's Stefano Ordani. Sportif director Valerio Piva explained that Rota crashed during Thursday's race, which was followed from the team car.

"The individual riders were very strong today, no less than four riders followed the first group at the top of Pietrabezzara. The race was going perfectly until Rota crashed for the second time in the downhill and fell into the valley with five other riders due to the oil on the road surface. Fortunately, he only suffered scrapes.

"Rota was able to follow the great victory of Meintjes, who made a selection on the last climb from the team car and executed our strategy perfectly. It was incredible to see how the South African climber handled the flat final with the support of a strong Zimmermann."

"It was a great race and a great experience for all of us.