While EF Education First-EasyPost’s Alex Baudin claimed the spoils on the opening stage of Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, a canny late move from the group of favourites featuring Netcompany-Ineos duo Oscar Onley and Kévin Vauquelin set up an intriguing tactical game for the week ahead.
As Baudin powered to a career-best result, the peloton held a solid pace on the Côte de Rousset, allowing the Frenchman to build his lead to 1:20 as he crested the climb. The docile pace continued on the final section into Saint-Ismier as the GC teams appeared keen to absolve themselves of the responsibility to hold the leaders jersey heading into the next few stages.
