Results Mercan'Tour Classic Alpes Maritimes 2026 - Kern Pharma one-two mountain classic as Ibon Ruiz triumphs

Equipo Kern Pharma face an existential threat in 2026 as they seek a new title sponsor into the upcoming season; and this Wednesday they have taken one of the most important wins of their season. Ibon Ruiz and Ivan Sosa finished first and second at the Mercan'Tour Classic Alpes Maritimes, one of the most mountainous one-day races.

The breakaway was formed by Théo Delacroix, Alexander Konijn, Julien Marin, Giuseppe Sciarra and Lennard Sternsdorff. The group never had big chances of succeeding and attacked the peloton in the flat opening section of the stage. The group was caught with 65 kilometers to go.

The race would really kick off afterwards at the Col de la Couillole, with Decathlon CMA CGM Team setting a strong pace. Around 20 riders would go over the top still in the front group, with multiple teams having more than one rider and having the ability to use tactics.

However all the action was left for the final climb, the ascent to Valberg with 14 kilometers in length and an average gradient of just over 6%. Decathlon set a very high pace and launched Léo Bisiaux into the attack only 2 kilometers into the climb, with 12 to the finish line.

Behind his rivals began scrambling urgently not to let the Frenchman get away, but the gap extended towards worrying numbers. However Bisiaux's effort looked to have been executed too early on as the 30-second gap began coming down in the final kilometers.

Domenico Pozzovivo and Kern Pharma duo Iván Rosa and Ibon Ruiz began closing in; as Groupama, TotalEnergies and Cofidis all had to settle with minor places on the day. Sosa led out Ruiz and inside the final kilometer, their effort was timed to perfection.

The Spanish team's duo dropped Pozzovivo, caught Bisiaux and then attacked past the Frenchman. Ruiz took the front and celebrated the victory with Sosa in his wheel - Bisiaux survived for third place.