BikeRaceInfo: Current and historical race results, plus interviews, bikes, travel, and cycling historyBikeRaceInfo: Current and historical race results, plus interviews, bikes, travel, and cycling history
Search our site:
Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Email Newsletter

2023 Faun Ardèche Classic (1.Pro), France

23rd edition: Saturday, February 25, 2023
Complete results

Faun Ardèche Classic podium history | 2022 edition | 2024 edition | Course map & profile | Race photos | Start list

Guilherand-Granges - Guilherand-Granges, 168.5 km

Julian Alaphilippe and David Gaudu have left their chasers a half-minute behind. Photo: Billy Ceusters

Cycling's World Championships

Les Woodland's book Cycling's World Championships: The Inside Story is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Weather at the start/finish city of Guilherand-Granges at 1:50 PM, local time: 11C (51F), mostly cloudy, with the wind from the north at 27 km/hr (17 mph). There is just a 1% chaince of rain.

The race: Here's the report from race winner Julian Alaphilippe's Team Soudal Quick-Step.

Julian Alaphilippe returned to winning ways Saturday afternoon, when he added the Ardèche Classic to his outstanding palmares, capping off a huge ride of his Soudal Quick-Step teammates, who were in the thick of the action from kilometer zero.

The Wolfpack was the first team to move, and it did it in the early kilometers of the 168.5km race by sending Rémi Cavagna on the attack. The “TGV of Clermont-Ferrand”, joined by only one other rider, produced a massive display of power that forced the peloton to work hard in order to reduce the five-minute deficit they had with around 100 kilometers to go.

When the catch happened, some 40 kilometers from the line, Soudal Quick-Step was still relying on plenty of riders in the main group, and once again took initiative, keeping things under control until the longest climb on the route, Saint-Romain-de-Lerps. A stinging attack launched by Alaphilippe after a monster pull of Ilan Van Wilder quickly fragmented the group, leaving only the Frenchman and countryman David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) at the front.

The descent played into the duo’s favour, who by the time they tackled the last ascent of the day – the gruelling, leg-sapping Val d’Enfer (1.5km, 10.2%) – had a full minute over the chasing group, where we were represented by Ilan Van Wilder. It soon became clear the fight for victory would be a two-man affair, and Julian decided to control the sprint, moving to the front with 800 meters to go before kicking out and holding the speed until the line, where he celebrated the 40th win of his career.

“It feels good, as it has been a long time since my last win. I was looking forward to that winning feeling, because a lot has happened since my previous victory. This result confirms the hard work I put in over the last couple of weeks. I knew that the condition was getting better and better, and I’m delighted I could get the job done today.”

“The team was excellent, doing a great job the entire day, first with Rémi, and later with Ilan, who was instrumental on that penultimate climb, bringing me in a perfect position. I knew I had good legs, I was motivated, so I attacked and just kept going. Then, in the sprint I went all-in, and I’m happy I could repay the guys with a victory. It’s a big confidence boost for my spring campaign”, added a happy Julian, who has now won at least a race in each of the ten seasons since he turned pro with Soudal Quick-Step.

find us on Facebook Find us on Twitter See our youtube channel

Melanoma: It started with a freckle Peaks Coaching: work with a coach! Schwab Cycles South Salem Cycleworks frames Neugent Cycling Wheels Shade Vise sunglass holder Advertise with us!


Content continues below the ads

Melanoma: It started with a freckle Peaks Coaching: work with a coach! Schwab Cycles

Complete Results:

Race photos

168.5 kilometers raced at an average speed of 38.465 km/hr

1 Julian Alaphilippe Soudal Quick-Step 4hr 22min 50sec
2 David Gaudu Groupama-FDJ s.t.
3 Mattias Skjelmose Trek-Segafredo @ 31sec
4 Victor Lafay Cofidis s.t.
5 Romain Grégoire Groupama-FDJ 0:43
6 Felix Gall Ag2r-Citroën s.t.
7 Lorenzo Rota Intermarché-Circus-Wanty s.t.
8 Guillaume Martin Cofidis 0:51
9 Rui Costa Intermarché-Circus-Wanty 0:54
10 Pierre Latour TotalEnergies s.t.
11 Romain Bardet Team DSM s.t.
12 Maxim Van Gils Lotto Dstny s.t.
13 Aurélien Paret-Peintre Ag2r-Citroën s.t.
14 Michael Woods Israel-Premier Tech s.t.
15 Esteban Chaves EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
16 Cian Uijtdebroeks Bora-hansgrohe s.t.
17 Lenny Martinez Groupama-FDJ s.t.
18 Lilian Calmejane Intermarché-Circus-Wanty 1:15
19 Alexander Cepeda EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
20 Sergio Higuita Bora-hansgrohe 2:03
21 Ilan Van Wilder Soudal Quick-Step 2:16
22 Georg Zimmermann Intermarché-Circus-Wanty 2:18
23 Anthony Perez Cofidis 2:25
24 Jordan Jegat CIC U Nantes Atlantique s.t.
25 Mikael Chérel Ag2r-Citroën s.t.
26 Torstein Traeen Uno-X s.t.
27 Elie Gesbert Arkéa-Samsic s.t.
28 Cristian Rodriguez Arkéa-Samsic s.t.
29 Davide Formolo UAE Team Emirates 2:29
30 Michel Ries Arkéa-Samsic 2:44
31 Lennert Teugels Bingoal-WB s.t.
32 Jai Hindley Bora-hansgrohe s.t.
33 Chris Hamilton Team DSM s.t.
34 Filippo Zana Jayco-AlUla s.t.
35 Diego Ulissi UAE Team Emirates s.t.
36 George Bennett UAE Team Emirates 4:47
37 Ewen Costiou Arkéa-Samsic 5:58
38 Sebastien Reichenbach Tudor Pro Cycling s.t.
39 Odd Christian Eiking EF Education-EasyPost 6:56
40 Mikkel Honore EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
41 Andrea Bagioli Soudal Quick-Step s.t.
42 Martin López Astana Qazaqstan s.t.
43 Frederik Wandahl Bora-hansgrohe s.t.
44 Tsgabu Grmay Jayco-AlUla 7:35
45 Jago Willems Lotto Dstny s.t.
46 Matthew Dinham Team DSM s.t.
47 Quentin Pacher Groupama-FDJ s.t.
48 Roland Thalmann Tudor Pro Cycling s.t.
49 Lennert Van Eetvelt Lotto Dstny s.t.
50 Laurens Huys Intermarché-Circus-Wanty s.t.
51 Nans Peters Ag2r-Citroën s.t.
52 Rémy Rochas Cofidis s.t.
53 Dorian Godon Ag2r-Citroën s.t.
54 Yael Joalland CIC U Nantes Atlantique s.t.
55 Julien Bernard Trek-Segafredo s.t.
56 Jonathan Caicedo EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
57 Adne Holter Uno-X 7:42
58 Paul Ourselin TotalEnergies 8:40
59 Alexis Vuillermoz TotalEnergies s.t.
60 Marco Frigo Israel-Premier Tech 8:47
61 Clément Venturini Ag2r-Citroën 9:58
62 Simon Pellaud Tudor Pro Cycling s.t.
63 Aloïs Charrin Tudor Pro Cycling s.t.
64 Lucas Eriksson Tudor Pro Cycling s.t.
65 Lorenzo Milesi Team DSM 10:06
66 Mael Guégan CIC U Nantes Atlantique s.t.
67 Dimitri Peyskens Bingoal-WB s.t.
68 Ryan Gibbons UAE Team Emirates s.t.
69 Aaron Van Der Beken Bingoal-WB s.t.
70 Francesco Busatto Intermarché-Circus-Wanty s.t.
71 Anton Palzer Bora-hansgrohe s.t.
72 Louis Barré Arkéa-Samsic 10:09
73 Alexandr Riabushenko Astana Qazaqstan s.t.
74 Valentin Ferron TotalEnergies s.t.
75 Sylvain Moniquet Lotto Dstny s.t.
76 Matteo Sobrero Jayco-AlUla s.t.
77 Johan Meens Bingoal-WB 10:12
78 Thomas Champion Cofidis s.t.
79 Cesare Benedetti Bora-hansgrohe s.t.
80 Eddy Finé Cofidis s.t.
81 Andreas Kron Lotto Dstny s.t.
82 Martijn Tusveld Team DSM s.t.
83 Matthieu Ladagnous Groupama-FDJ s.t.
84 Axel Mariault Cofidis s.t.
85 Ramses Debruyne Lotto Dstny s.t.
86 Sebastian Berwick Israel-Premier Tech s.t.
87 Quinn Simmons Trek-Segafredo 12:17
88 Sean Quinn EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
89 Marco Tizza Bingoal-WB s.t.
90 Thomas Gachignard St Michel-Mavic-Auber 93 14:04
91 Romain Combaud Team DSM s.t.
92 Jacob Hindsgaul Uno-X s.t.
93 Léo Danès CIC U Nantes Atlantique 14:37
94 Fabio Felline Astana Qazaqstan s.t.
95 Natnael Tesfazion Trek-Segafredo s.t.
96 Merhawi Kudus EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
97 Robin Plamondon CIC U Nantes Atlantique s.t.
98 Niklas Eg Uno-X s.t.
99 Bruno Armirail Groupama-FDJ s.t.
100 Kevin Colleoni Jayco-AlUla s.t.
101 Remi Cavagna Soudal Quick-Step s.t.
102 Alessandro De Marchi Jayco-AlUla s.t.
103 Clément Champoussin Arkéa-Samsic s.t.
104 Harry Sweeny Lotto Dstny s.t.
105 James Knox Soudal Quick-Step s.t.
106 Finn Fisher-Black UAE Team Emirates s.t.

 


Content continues below the ads

South Salem Cycleworks frames Neugent Cycling Wheels

Faun Ardèche Classic map & profile:

Here's the map

And here's the very challenging race profile

2023 Faun Ardèche Classic photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti:

Before the race starts the riders and teams are presented. Here's Julian Alaphilippe.

The race had challenging terrain.

A cool, but beautiful day to race.

Riders descending what I believe is the Col du Pin

Time for the lead breakaway riders Julian Alaphilippe and David Gaudu to sprint it out.

The race is Julian Alaphilippe's.

David Gaudu finishes second.

Third-place Mattias Skjelmose & fourth-place Victor Lafay.

The podium, from left: David Gaudu (2nd), Julian Alaphilippe (1st) & Mattias Skjelmose (3rd).

Race winner Julian Alaphilippe


Content continues below the ads

Shade Vise sunglass holder Advertise with us!

Start list with back numbers, February 24, 2023:

UAE TEAM EMIRATES
1 Marc Hirschi
2 George Bennett
3 Finn Fisher-Black
4 Ryan Gibbons
5 Ivo Oliveira
6 Jan Polanc
7 Diego Ulissi
BORA-HANSGROHE
11 Sergio Higuita
12 Jai Hindley
13 Cesare Benedetti
14 Victor Koretzky
15 Anton Palzer
16 Cian Uijtdebroeks
17 Frederik Wandahl
INTERMARCHÉ-CIRCUS-WANTY
21 Lilian Calmejane
22 Francesco Busatto
23 Rui Costa
24 Kobe Goossens
25 Lorenzo Rota
26 Dion Smith
27 Georg Zimmermann
SOUDAL QUICK-STEP
31 Julian Alaphilippe
32 Andrea Bagioli
33 Remi Cavagna
34 Dries Devenyns
35 James Knox
36 Martin Svrcek
37 Ilan Van Wilder
GROUPAMA-FDJ
41 David Gaudu
42 Bruno Armirail
43 Romain Grégoire
44 Lenny Martinez
45 Quentin Pacher
46 Matthieu Ladagnous
47 Lorenzo Germani
COFIDIS
51 Guillaume Martin
52 François Bidard
53 Alexandre Delettre
54 Victor Lafay
55 Axel Mariault
56 Anthony Perez
57 Pierre-Luc Périchon
TREK-SEGAFREDO
61 Mattias Skjelmose Jensen
62 Julien Bernard
63 Dario Cataldo
64 Tony Gallopin
66 Quinn Simmons
67 Natnael Tesfazion
ARKÉA-SAMSIC
71 Louis Barré
72 Ewen Costiou
73 Nicolas Edet
74 Elie Gesbert
75 Clément Champoussin
76 Michel Ries
77 Cristian Rodriguez
AG2R CITROËN
81 Ben O'Connor
82 Nans Peters
83 Mikaël Chérel
84 Felix Gall
85 Dorian Godon
86 Aurélien Paret-Peintre
87 Clément Venturini
JAYCO-ALULA
91 Matteo Sobrero
92 Kevin Colleoni
93 Alessandro De Marchi
94 Tsgabu Grmay
95 Filippo Zana
96 Jesus David Peña
97 Rudy Porter
EF EDUCATION-EASYPOST
101 Esteban Chaves
102 Jonathan Caicedo
103 Sean Quinn
104 Alexander Cepeda
105 Odd Christian Eiking
106 Mikkel Honore
107 Merhawi Kudus
TEAM DSM
111 Romain Bardet
112 Romain Combaud
113 Matthew Dinham
114 Chris Hamilton
115 Lorenzo Milesi
116 Martijn Tusveld
117 Max Van Der Meulen
ASTANA QAZAQSTAN
121 Andrey Zeits
122 Vadim Pronskiy
123 Fabio Felline
124 Alexandr Riabushenko
126 Martin López
127 Nicolas Vinokourov
LOTTO DSTNY
131 Andreas Kron
132 Ramses Debruyne
133 Jago Willems
134 Sylvain Moniquet
135 Harry Sweeny
136 Lennert Van Eetvelt
137 Maxim Van Gils
TOTALENERGIES
141 Pierre Latour
142 Alexis Vuillermoz
143 Jérémy Cabot
144 Fabien Doubey
145 Valentin Ferron
146 Alan Jousseaume
147 Paul Ourselin
ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH
151 Simon Clarke
152 Mason Hollyman
153 Hugo Houle
154 Daryl Impey
155 Nick Schultz
156 Stephen Williams
157 Michael Woods
UNO-X PRO CYCLING
161 Fredrik Dversnes
162 Torstein Træen
163 Marcus Sander Hansen
164 Ådne Holter
165 Jacob Hindsgaul Madsen
167 Niklas Eg
BINGOAL-WB
171 Alexis Guérin
172 Floris De Tier
173 Johan Meens
174 Dimitri Peyskens
175 Lennert Teugels
176 Marco Tizza
177 Aaron Van Der Beken
TUDOR PRO CYCLING
181 Sebastien Reichenbach
182 Nils Brun
183 Aloïs Charrin
184 Lucas Eriksson
185 Simon Pellaud
186 Arthur Kluckers
187 Joel Suter
ST MICHEL-MAVIC-AUBER 93
191 Rudy Barbier
192 Romain Cardis
193 Nicolas Debeaumarché
194 Joris Delbove
195 Anthony Maldonado
196 Flavien Maurelet
197 Théo Delacroix
CIC U NANTES ATLANTIQUE
201 Jordan Jegat
202 Yaël Joalland
203 Léo Danès
204 Maël Guégan
205 Robin Plamondon
206 Nolann Mahoudo
207 Noa Isidore
NICE MÉTROPOLE-CÔTE D'AZUR
211 Jonathan Couanon
212 Tristan Delacroix
213 Damien Girard
214 Julian Lino
215 Jean-Louis Le Ny
216 Andrea Mifsud
217 Maxime Urruty