The French cyclist Christophe Laporte took the victory of the first stage of the Star of Bessèges, in a day in which Egan Bernal and Rigoberto Urán they yielded time to be cut in a fall, in which they were not involved, and in the end they yielded only minimal differences. Egan finished from 114 to 2 seconds and Uranus, 115 also to 2 seconds. They are usually in the same places on the day, but at 12 seconds.
You may be interested: (Egan Bernal and Daniel Martínez already know how great they will run).
Laporte, 28 years old and winner of the test in 2019, signed the success with 600 meters to go with an attack that allowed him to raise his arms as the winner, with a time of 3h.14.30, the same as his compatriot Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea Samsic). The main group came in 2 seconds with the former Danish world champion en route Mads Pedersen (Trek Segafredo) to the front.
The premiere of the French race that will last until next Sunday was animated with a home run that starred three modest runners: the French Louvet y Delettre and the Belgian Paquot, Licensed by the platoon to achieve differences that rubbed within 9 minutes.
Also read: (He’s ready! Falcao appeared and put an end to the rumors).
There was reaction from teams interested in the mass arrival, so halfway through the race AG2R and Bora-Hansgrohe stabilize the adventure in 3 minutes, income that went to less as the goal approached the Cota de Le Tour, in Bellegarde. Lotto-Soudal and Cofidis helped to bring down the illusions of the trio of fugitives, who were eventually absorbed by the welcome 10 miles from the last line.
The ending invited emotion, as in the latter 600 meters the road rose with a gradient of 6.3 percent, an obstacle for faster men, and an invitation for cyclists with a final “hitch”.
General regrouping and start of the action protocol for the victory. Ahead of a stretch at a frantic pace, ungovernable by the multiple interests in the fight for the former leader jersey.
In addition: (The physiotherapist to whom Falcao was entrusted for his subsequent injuries).
The last minute maneuvers forced to take to the front to the Ineos of Bernal and Geraint Thomas. The illustrious names were saved from a fall caused by a “sharpener” that knocked down a handful of runners.
The first nerves of the season. The triumphs are sold dearly in a cycling that still lives with the daily uncertainty of the health pandemic. The stage was in the air, the battle unleashed in search of position.
the Italian Filippo Ganna (Ineos), World Chrono Champion, joined the squad until it was divided into several sectors. The final wall remained. Sprinter Nacer Bouhanni was the first to light the wick with an attack that allowed him to distance himself a few meters, but Laporte, very attentive, got stuck in the wheel.
With the experience gained in this race, Laporte joined his compatriot to make the final selection for the win. He attacked 200 meters from the banner and won with solvency the fourth stage in the Star of Bessèges, the talisman test for the cyclist of La Seyne-sur-Mer. A good season premiere.
Laporte will defend the leader jersey with 4 seconds ahead of Bouhanni and 8 over Pedersen in the second stage that takes place this Thursday between Sant-Geniès and La Calmette, of 154.2 kilometers.
EFE