Groupama-FDJ United Cycling Team made a nice start to the Tour Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes, the new name for the Critérium du Dauphiné. On a demanding opening stage to Saint-Ismier, Clément Braz Afonso joined the day’s breakaway and was only caught on the final climb of the race. In the final, Rudy Molard made his way into a chasing group that contested second place behind Axel Baudin. The experienced Frenchman ultimately secured a solid fifth-place finish.
A particularly challenging opening stage awaited the Tour Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes peloton around Grenoble on Sunday. Riders faced no fewer than 3,200 metres of elevation gain and five categorized climbs, including the Côte de Rousset (8.3 km at 7.5%), located just twenty kilometres from the finish. On paper, the breakaway therefore appeared to have a genuine chance of succeeding on day 1. “We knew the favorites wouldn’t allow the breakaway to gain a four-minute advantage,” explained Stéphane Goubert. “At the same time, we felt they wouldn’t necessarily want to take the leader’s jersey and assume responsibility for controlling the race all week. We therefore hoped the breakaway could make it all the way, and we had to seize that opportunity. Clément [Braz Afonso], Rudy, Quentin, Kevin, and Max were all tasked with getting into the move. Only Guillaume and Clément [Berthet] were supposed to stay in the peloton and follow the pace as long as possible. The others were all active from the start, they all tried, and in the end Clément got away in a strong group.” After around twenty minutes of fighting on an uphill section, Clément Braz Afonso broke clear as part of a quartet before the breakaway expanded to include six more riders.
“We’re starting the week well” – Stéphane Goubert
The peloton, however, did not immediately ease off, and the fugitives had to keep pushing for another half hour before establishing a two-minute lead. Shortly after the halfway point, during the succession of the Côte de Quaix-en-Chartreuse and the Col de Vence, the pace increased at the front due to pressure from the peloton. Only three riders managed to emerge from this section still in the lead: Alex Baudin, George Bennett, and… Clément Braz Afonso. The Groupama-FDJ United rider even came over the Col de Vence first, but the trio’s advantage had shrunk to barely one minute before the final climb, the Côte du Rousset. Baudin therefore accelerated on the first slopes, and his remaining companions were unable to follow. “He was simply one level above,” said Stéphane. “But as always, Clément was exemplary. He raced very well, there is absolutely nothing to complain about, and if he keeps racing like this, his day will come. He deserves congratulations for his ride.” About two kilometres from the summit, Clément Braz Afonso was caught by a reduced peloton of around thirty riders that still included Clément Berthet, Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet, Rudy Molard, and Quentin Pacher. As they approached the top, however, both Pacher and the day’s breakaway rider were unable to stay with the favorites.
Up front, Axel Baudin still held more than a minute’s advantage after the descent. Behind him, the Groupama-FDJ United riders, well positioned near the front of the « peloton », remained aggressive. “That was our mindset since kilometer zero, and it’s a very good sign,” Stéphane said. “Whenever we are in a position to do so, we have to try to maximize our chances of achieving the best possible result. Clément [Berthet] was the first to attack after the descent, then Rudy counterattacked and managed to get away with a small group.” In a chasing group that notably included Kevin Vauquelin and Oscar Onley, the Groupama-FDJ United puncher remained relatively discreet over the final five kilometres before fully committing in the sprint for second place. “Rudy finished fifth,” Stéphane added. “He might perhaps have done a little better in the sprint, but it was still a very good day. Guillaume is improving, Clément is up there as well, and that’s encouraging. We’re starting the week well!” While Rudy Molard finished 32 seconds behind the stage winner, the team’s two leaders crossed the line with the other favorites, 44 seconds down, with Clément Berthet taking 15th place.
On Monday, the attackers could once again have an opportunity on the route to Le Puy-en-Velay, a course featuring more than 3,500 meters of climbing.
