The queen stage of the Tour de la Provence reached its conclusion with a snowy backdrop this Saturday at the summit of Montagne de Lure. Obviously decisive for the general classification, the day was first animated by a breakaway featuring young Esteban Foucher for Groupama-FDJ United. Later on, after the fourteen-kilometre final climb, his “La Conti” teammate Rémi Daumas impressed by claiming seventh place. Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet finished 13th.
For the first time in the 2026 season, the peloton tackled a final climb of more than ten kilometres on stage 2 of the Tour de la Provence. Montagne de Lure, with nearly fourteen kilometres at 6.5%, awaited the riders at the end of a hilly course from start to finish. Groupama-FDJ United colors stood out from the very beginning thanks to Esteban Foucher, a new recruit to “La Conti”, and already promoted to the WorldTour team. “Esteban and Lorenzo were designated to go in the breakaway. It went from the gun, and Esteban found himself up the road,” explained Frédéric Guesdon. “The goal for him today was either to test himself on the final climb and see how far he could go, or to make the breakaway. He made the break — it was worth it and a good experience for him.” Alongside five other riders, the 20-year-old led the race for a long time while his teammates remained attentive in the peloton. “About fifty kilometres from the finish, there was a strong tailwind on a slight downhill. It stretched the peloton and split things up a bit,” Frédéric said. “We weren’t too worried because we knew there was a headwind before the final climb, and above all, the guys were really in the mix, in the front group.”
“It’s only half a surprise” – Frédéric Guesdon
The bunch regrouped approaching the final thirty kilometers, and then quickly closed in on the breakaway, whose advantage was down to around twenty seconds at the foot of Montagne de Lure. Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet and his teammates gathered near the front of the pack while Esteban Foucher was caught after a strong day out front. “The plan was to make the best possible climb with Guillaume for the overall classification,” Frédéric explained. “Rémi had to stay with him as long as possible, and that’s what happened at first.” Halfway up the climb, Rémi Daumas and his leader were still well positioned in a peloton reduced to just twenty riders. Then, when the pace increased shortly before the final five kilometres, the rider from “La Conti” managed to hold on slightly longer than the French climber. “The roles were somewhat reversed,” Frédéric explained. “I think Guillaume still needs racing, and he’s a very resistant rider for whom a lone climb doesn’t necessarily suit perfectly. As for Rémi, we know he has great qualities, but we weren’t quite sure what he could do at this level.”
In the final kilometers of climbing, the 19-year-old capped off his excellent performance with a notable seventh place. “He had done some great tests during the training camp before the race,” Frédéric added. “So it’s only half a surprise because he had shown promising signs, but above all it’s very encouraging for the future. We were hoping for a bit better for Guillaume, but Rémi is where he belongs — perhaps even a little higher — and that allows us to stay in the game.” Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet crossed the line in 13th place, 1’11 behind stage winner Matthew Riccitello. The Tour de la Provence will conclude Sunday toward Arles. “There could be some action because quite a bit of wind is expected on a fairly exposed finishing circuit,” Frédéric concluded. “We’ll make sure Rémi and Guillaume don’t lose their positions in the overall standings — or even improve them — and we’ll also aim for a result on the stage.”
