Results Etoile de Besseges 2026 Stage 5 | Ewen Costiou rips up GC with stage-winning final time trial

Ewen Costiou detonated the final day of the Etoile de Besseges, winning the stage 5 time trial and tearing up the general classification to claim overall victory in one decisive ride.

The 10.3-kilometre test to L’Hermitage proved decisive in a race that had remained tightly compressed through four stages. Costiou’s effort was not only enough to secure the stage win, but also to reshape the overall standings as several GC contenders faltered against the clock.

Starting later in the order, Costiou produced a commanding ride from start to finish, stopping the clock at 14:57 and immediately resetting expectations for the remainder of the afternoon. The margin was decisive rather than incremental, forcing every rider still to come to target the stage rather than defend position.

Paul Lapeira came closest to challenging the time, finishing just two seconds back, while Maxime Decomble also delivered a strong effort to place himself firmly into contention for the overall podium. No rider who followed was able to approach Costiou’s pace over the full distance.

Attention quickly shifted from the stage to the general classification as the final GC contenders reached the line. Race leader Lukas Kubis was unable to match the required pace, conceding significant time and slipping down the standings with a finishing time of 15:32.

That opening was ruthlessly exploited. Costiou’s ride vaulted him from outside the top ten into the overall lead, while Paul Lapeira and Maxime Decomble also moved ahead of Kubis on GC. Niklas Larsen remained close but could not gain enough time to challenge for the win.

Henri Uhlig and Louis Hardouin both lost ground on the final day, ending any remaining hopes of defending their podium positions.

When all times were confirmed, Costiou emerged as the overall winner of the Etoile de Besseges, completing a dramatic final day turnaround driven entirely by time trial performance rather than tactical racing.

The outcome underlined how finely balanced the race had been throughout the week. After four stages of tight margins and controlled racing, it was the clock alone that decided the final order.