Results GP La Marseillaise 2026 | Bryan Coquard opens up season tally with bunch sprint victory

Bryan Coquard has taken his first pro win of 2026, and the 54th in his career. After 12 dry months, the leader of Cofidis has returned to his winning ways this afternoon by winning the opening race of the French calendar - the Grand Prix La Marseillaise.

The breakaway of the day was formed by Thomas Champion, Kenny Molly, Victor Guernalec, Arnaud Tissières, Joseph Brookes and Jack Brough. The remnants of this group was caught with 26 kilometers to go and shortly after Paul Lapeira of Decathlon CMA CGM launched an attack - still before the beginning of the final ascent.

It was a badly timed attack however, and Lapeira, one of the main favourites, was caught in the first half of the final ascent. He was caught initially by Andrea Misfud, but then by the whole peloton where attacks were flying off the front - before the peloton stabilized. Andrea Misfud attacked once again towards the summit of the ascent and was joined by Louis Hardouin and Axel Mariault. The three began collaborating into the descent.

The group looked like it was heading towards victory, but in the final flat kilometers the collaboration faded and the catch was made with 1 kilometer to go. The easier profile this year allowed a larger peloton to head towards the finish and there was a leadout battle into the finish.

It ended up being a pure bunch sprint with most of the peloton in front and in the end, it was Cofidis' Bryan Coquard sprinting to victory in Marseille, beating Steffen de Schuyteneer and Alex Molenaar to the line.