Jumbo-Visma came to France this weekend with an incredibly strong lineup in search of some early-season wins, and they have gotten one today as
Jonas Vingegaard conquered the Drôme Classic.
Johan Meens (Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB), Anthon Charmig (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team), Thomas Denis (Go Sport - Roubaix Lille Métropole), Axel Mariault (Team U Nantes Atlantique), Asbjorn Hellemose (Trek - Segafredo) and Mathias Bregnhoj (Riwal Cycling Team)
Despite the quality, the race was never to be decided between these riders, and the first serious attack was exactly by Vingegaard with 39 kilometers to go, making a selection in the peloton with Vansevenant, Ayuso and Lafay going over the Cote de la Grande Limite in front. Despite being caught by a chasing group, in the next climb Juan Ayuso attacked taking only the Dane with him.
Despite a concerted chase by AG2R and Quick-Step, which culminated with a move by Alaphilippe and Cosnefroy with 13 kilometers to go, they could not bridge to the front even with the help of
Guillaume Martin.
Vingegaard set a gruelling pace at the hilltop finish in Étoile-sur-Rhône dropping Ayuso and heading to the win. Guillaume Martin finished second beating
Benoît Cosnefroy just three seconds behind as Alaphilippe also cracked.