Kevin Vauquelin delivered an impressive performance on
Saturday to win the overall title at the Etoile de Bessèges. The Frenchman
capped off his victory with wins on the final two stages, including a decisive
10km time trial in Alès.
Speaking after his triumph, Vauquelin expressed his
satisfaction with both his personal achievements and the team’s efforts. "This
victory in the general classification and in the time trial are very satisfying
results, personally and for the Arkéa-B&B Hotels team," he said. "I
had a good lead in the general classification this morning, so that allowed me
to approach this last stage well. It rewards the work done all week, and during
the winter. I had a little revenge to take here on the Etoile de Bessèges,
after a special week and a very trying day yesterday."
Reflecting on his performance in the time trial, Vauquelin
added, "To finish like this is really good. I am happy to have inaugurated
the Bianchi Aquila RC time trial bike in a good way, with this victory.”
Remember, Vauquelin is the man that won the second stage of
the Tour de France last July. He has got an exceptional amount of talent, and
will be crucial for Arkea this year.
“Thibault Guernalec also set a good time,” he continued. “So
these are positive signs of course. It shows that it is a fast bike. I really
enjoyed it today. It bodes very well for the rest of the season."
This result marks a crucial step forward for Arkéa-B&B
Hotels, a team facing significant challenges as they fight to retain their
WorldTour license and secure their future. The strong performance at Etoile de
Bessèges provides a much-needed boost of confidence for the squad as they look
to make this a pivotal season. For Vauquelin and the team, this is precisely
the positive start they needed.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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