“Guess it was good I re-signed Alex last week” - Jonathan Vaughters jokes EF deal already looks inspired after Baudin’s Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes stunner
Cycling
Alex Baudin’s Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes breakthrough came with perfect timing for EF Education-EasyPost.
The Frenchman delivered a superb solo victory on stage 1, attacking from the breakaway on the Cote de Rousset before holding off the reduced peloton to win in Saint-Ismier. It gave Baudin the opening stage, the first yellow jersey of the race and the biggest victory of his career.
It also gave EF team boss Jonathan Vaughters a chance to enjoy the moment online.
“Guess it was good I re-signed Alex last week,” Vaughters wrote on X after Baudin’s victory.
Vaughters jokes Baudin deal already looks better
Baudin’s win was already a major reward for EF after a day in which the American squad placed riders in the early break and then watched the 24-year-old French talent finish the job alone. For Vaughters, the timing of the recent contract decision understandably made the result feel that much sweeter.
One fan replied to his post by joking that the comment alone should earn Baudin a five per cent salary increase. Vaughters’ response was short and sweet: “Agreed.”
The exchange added a lighter touch to a day that had already changed the complexion of the EF Education - EasyPost's week in France. Baudin did not only take the stage win, but also moved into the first Maillot Jaune of the race and collected the other early classification rewards such as the King of the Mountains and points jersey, after a full day on the attack.
For EF, the challenge now shifts from seizing the moment to defending it. Baudin began stage 2 in the race lead, with his team immediately handed responsibility on the longest day of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
If Vaughters’ timing in re-signing him looked good after stage 1, the next question is how long Baudin and EF can keep that inspired week rolling.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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Guess it was good I re-signed Alex last week.
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