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2026 Région Pays de la Loire Tour
Formerly Circuit de la Sarthe - Pays de la Loire, (2.Pro), France

72nd edition: April 7 - April 10, 2026

Région Pays de la Loire Tour podium history | 2025 edition | Start list
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4


Map of the 2026 Région Pays de la Loire Tour


Friday, April 10: 4th & Final Stage, Brûlon - Le Mans, 179.5 km

Stage 4 map & profile

Antoine L'Hote wins the stage and the 2026 Région Pays de la Loire Tour.Tour de France: 2020

Bill & Carol McGann's book The Story of the Tour de France, 2020: The Tour During Covid-19, Better Late Than Never is available in both Kindle eBook and Audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Weather at the finish city of Le Mans at 2:35 PM, local time: 16C (61F), sunny, with the wind from the south-southeast at 6 km/hr (4 mph). No rain is forecast.

The race: Axel Laurance (INEOS Grenadiers) did not start.

Hee's the report from stage four second-place & GC third-place Corbin Strong's NSN Cycling Team:

Corbin Strong wrapped up an impressive week for NSN at Region Pays de la Loire as he moved up to third on GC after placing second in a thrilling final stage in Le Mans on Friday.

After teammate Ethan Vernon dominated both the conventional bunch sprints that decided the outcomes of the race’s first two stages, Strong showed his trademark explosiveness on a twisty, punchy circuit around the famous French city.

The Kiwi was part of a four-rider group that almost caught late attacker Antoine L’Hote (DCT) approaching the line. However, Strong dominated the sprint for second, which, together with bonus seconds claimed during an earlier intermediate sprint, moved him up seven places from 10th overall.

“I think the final 80 kilometers or so today were full gas – it was fun racing and I enjoyed it a lot,” says Strong. “Kudos to Antoine, he was incredibly strong. When I’d heard he’d been out there for 15 kilometers or so, I thought for sure he would tire on the last lap, but he held on.

“I’m obviously super gutted to get second today – I won the sprint behind the breakaway yesterday as well, so two close calls this week, but I didn’t manage to get the win.

“It’s bittersweet as I came here really wanting to win the GC, and yesterday’s finish was the perfect finish for me. It’s gutting not to win that or even a stage, but I’m really happy with my shape.

“It was nice going into today’s stage with nothing to lose – I’m normally a patient racer and somebody who holds a bit back for the finish, but today I got to race my bike quite aggressively, and I had a lot of fun doing it.”

Sports Director Alex Cataford said: “It was a really aggressive stage today, with the race opening up on the final laps and a lot of attacks.

“Corbin raced very smart and had an amazing team around him. The guys set him up perfectly for the final laps so he could race from the front with the other favorites. He should be proud of his effort and the way he moved up on GC.

“Overall, it was a very strong week for the team. Two stage wins and an overall podium is something we can be pleased with, but more than that, the guys raced incredibly well together and the teamwork was at a top level.”

Complete results:

179.5 kilometers raced at an average speed of 42.783 km/hr

1 Antoine L'Hote Decathlon CMA CGM Team 4hr 11min 44sec
2 Corbin Strong NSN Cycling Team @ 3sec
3 Clément Venturini Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
4 Alexander Kamp Uno-X Mobility s.t.
5 Quinten Hermans Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
6 Noa Isidore Decathlon CMA CGM Team 0:14
7 David González Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
8 Martin Marcellusi Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
9 Killian Théot Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
10 Sergi Darder Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
11 Tom Donnenwirth Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
12 Alexandre Delettre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
13 Dario Belletta Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
14 Killian Verschuren Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
15 Milan Lanhove Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
16 Lander Loockx Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
17 Axel van der Tuuk Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
18 Siebe Deweirdt Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
19 Milan Vader Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
20 Lucas Bénéteau St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
21 Senne Thonnon Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
22 Bryan Coquard Cofidis s.t.
23 Gorka Sorarrain Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
24 Valentin Ferron Cofidis s.t.
25 Sam Maisonobe Cofidis s.t.
26 Ewen Costiou Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
27 Xabier Berasategi Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:43
28 Mathis Le Berre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
29 Filippo Magli Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 1:02
30 Thomas Champion St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
31 Davide Bais Team Polti-VisitMalta 1:14
32 Tobias Svarre Uno-X Mobility 1:20
33 Morne Van Niekerk St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 1:38
34 Joris Chaussinand CIC Pro Cycling Academy 1:55
35 Henrik Pedersen Uno-X Mobility s.t.
36 Louis Hardouin Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
37 Dion Smith NSN Cycling Team s.t.
38 Benjamin Thomas Cofidis s.t.
39 Walter Calzoni Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
40 Paul Penhoët Groupama-FDJ United 2:20
41 Mirco Maestri Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
42 Tom Mainguenaud Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
43 Eduard Prades Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
44 David Lozano Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
45 Léandre Lozouet CIC Pro Cycling Academy 2:23
46 Javier Ibanez Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 2:26
47 Joppe Heremans Van Rysel-Roubaix 2:49
48 Laurens Huys Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
49 Elias Maris Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
50 Jonas Hem Hvideberg Uno-X Mobility s.t.
51 Lorenzo Conforti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
52 Léandre Huck Van Rysel-Roubaix 2:56
53 Adrien Maire Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
54 Nicolas Debeaumarché Cofidis 3:03
55 Louis Rouland Cofidis 4:33
56 Lorrenzo Manzin Team TotalEnergies 5:45
57 Valentin Retailleau Team TotalEnergies 7:28
58 Marco Manenti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
59 Owen Geleijn Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
60 Andrea Pietrobon Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
61 Clément Davy Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 7:46
62 Jake Stewart NSN Cycling Team 8:24
63 Nick Schultz NSN Cycling Team s.t.
64 Noah Hobbs EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
65 Ethan Vernon NSN Cycling Team s.t.
66 Xabier Azparren Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 9:00
67 Alexander Konijn Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 9:14
68 Mathias Sanlaville CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
69 Milan Van den Haute Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
70 Gabriele Bessega Team Polti-VisitMalta 10:31
71 Miguel Angel Marin EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
72 Nate Pringle Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
73 Santiago Ferraro Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
74 Andrea Peron Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
75 Sam Brand Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
76 Jérémy Lecroq St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
77 Maël Guégan CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
78 Xabier Isasa Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
79 Baptiste Gillet Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
80 Kévin Avoine Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
81 Simon Guglielmi St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
82 Thibault Guernalec Team TotalEnergies s.t.
83 Gianluca Pollefliet Decathlon CMA CGM Team 10:35
84 Stian Fredheim Uno-X Mobility s.t.
85 Similien Hamon CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
86 Joes Oosterlinck Van Rysel-Roubaix 11:39
87 Nolan Huysmans Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
88 Enrico Zanoncello Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
89 Remi Cavagna Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
90 Manuel Peñalver Team Polti-VisitMalta 13:00
91 Victor Guernalec CIC Pro Cycling Academy 13:08
92 Jason Tesson Team TotalEnergies 14:08
93 Lucas Dauge Team Novo Nordisk 19:38
94 Dylan Massa Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.

 

Final GC after stage 4:

  • GC winner: Antoine L'Hote (Decathlon CMA CGM)
  • Mountains classification winner: Kévin Avoine (Van Rysel-Roubaix)
  • Points classification winner: Corbin Strong (NSN Cycling Team)
  • Best young rider: Antoine L'Hote (Decathlon CMA CGM)
  • Teams classification winner: Unibet Rose Rockets

719.6 kilometers raced at an average speed of 44.560 km/hr

1 Antoine L'Hote Decathlon CMA CGM Team 16hr 8min 56sec
2 Alexander Kamp Uno-X Mobility @ 12sec
3 Corbin Strong NSN Cycling Team 0:18
4 Clément Venturini Unibet Rose Rockets 0:25
5 Martin Marcellusi Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 0:31
6 Killian Théot Van Rysel-Roubaix 0:34
7 Lander Loockx Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
8 Gorka Sorarrain Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
9 Axel van der Tuuk Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
10 Bryan Coquard Cofidis 0:35
11 Alexandre Delettre Team TotalEnergies 0:37
12 Sergi Darder Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:40
13 Dario Belletta Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
14 Noa Isidore Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
15 Ewen Costiou Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
16 Senne Thonnon Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
17 Siebe Deweirdt Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
18 David González Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
19 Milan Lanhove Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
20 Killian Verschuren Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
21 Lucas Bénéteau St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
22 Valentin Ferron Cofidis s.t.
23 Sam Maisonobe Cofidis s.t.
24 Xabier Berasategi Euskaltel-Euskadi 1:09
25 Mathis Le Berre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
26 Milan Vader Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
27 Thomas Champion St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 1:28
28 Davide Bais Team Polti-VisitMalta 1:40
29 Filippo Magli Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 1:41
30 Benjamin Thomas Cofidis 2:15
31 Louis Hardouin Van Rysel-Roubaix 2:21
32 Joris Chaussinand CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
33 Quinten Hermans Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 2:24
34 Eduard Prades Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 2:46
35 Paul Penhoët Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
36 Mirco Maestri Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
37 Tom Mainguenaud Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
38 Léandre Lozouet CIC Pro Cycling Academy 2:49
39 Tobias Svarre Uno-X Mobility 3:12
40 Joppe Heremans Van Rysel-Roubaix 3:15
41 Lorenzo Conforti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
42 Elias Maris Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
43 Jonas Hem Hvideberg Uno-X Mobility s.t.
44 Adrien Maire Unibet Rose Rockets 3:22
45 Henrik Pedersen Uno-X Mobility 3:47
46 Walter Calzoni Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
47 David Lozano Team Novo Nordisk 4:12
48 Léandre Huck Van Rysel-Roubaix 5:42
49 Dion Smith NSN Cycling Team 6:52
50 Tom Donnenwirth Groupama-FDJ United 7:55
51 Andrea Pietrobon Team Polti-VisitMalta 8:11
52 Owen Geleijn Unibet Rose Rockets 9:05
53 Morne Van Niekerk St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 9:19
54 Clément Davy Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 9:38
55 Ethan Vernon NSN Cycling Team 9:56
56 Milan Van den Haute Team Flanders-Baloise 10:02
57 Noah Hobbs EF Education-EasyPost 10:12
58 Gabriele Bessega Team Polti-VisitMalta 10:42
59 Mathias Sanlaville CIC Pro Cycling Academy 11:06
60 Louis Rouland Cofidis 12:14
61 Simon Guglielmi St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 12:16
62 Xabier Isasa Euskaltel-Euskadi 12:23
63 Gianluca Pollefliet Decathlon CMA CGM Team 12:27
64 Lorrenzo Manzin Team TotalEnergies 14:56
65 Marco Manenti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 15:09
66 Nicolas Debeaumarché Cofidis 15:12
67 Valentin Retailleau Team TotalEnergies 15:30
68 Laurens Huys Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 16:13
69 Sam Brand Team Novo Nordisk 16:35
70 Alexander Konijn Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 16:53
71 Miguel Angel Marin EF Education-EasyPost 16:59
72 Kévin Avoine Van Rysel-Roubaix 17:22
73 Nate Pringle Decathlon CMA CGM Team 17:46
74 Andrea Peron Team Novo Nordisk 18:12
75 Baptiste Gillet Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
76 Javier Ibanez Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 18:56
77 Nick Schultz NSN Cycling Team 19:08
78 Nolan Huysmans Team Flanders-Baloise 19:20
79 Victor Guernalec CIC Pro Cycling Academy 20:49
80 Maël Guégan CIC Pro Cycling Academy 22:21
81 Remi Cavagna Groupama-FDJ United 23:23
82 Jake Stewart NSN Cycling Team 23:33
83 Santiago Ferraro Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 24:14
84 Similien Hamon CIC Pro Cycling Academy 25:09
85 Joes Oosterlinck Van Rysel-Roubaix 25:23
86 Enrico Zanoncello Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 25:23
87 Jason Tesson Team TotalEnergies 26:20
88 Thibault Guernalec Team TotalEnergies 26:28
89 Manuel Peñalver Team Polti-VisitMalta 26:41
90 Xabier Azparren Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 28:29
91 Jérémy Lecroq St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 29:34
92 Stian Fredheim Uno-X Mobility 35:51
93 Dylan Massa Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 41:22
94 Lucas Dauge Team Novo Nordisk 42:53

 

Stage 4 map & profile:

Stage 4 map

Stage 4 profile


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Thursday, April 9: Stage 3, Avrillè - Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes, 199 km

Stage 3 map & profile

Uno-X Mobility's Alexander Kamp wins stage three and becomes the new GC leader.

TDF volume 1

Bill & Carol McGann's book The Story of the Tour de France, Vol 1: 1903 - 1975 is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Weather at the finish city of Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes at 2:40 PM, local time: 26C (78C), sunchine and clouds mixed, with the wind from the northwest at 24 km/hr (15 mph). There is a 7% chance of rain.

The race: Louis Sutton (Euskaltel-Euskadi) did not start.

Here's the report from stage three second-place Gabriele Bessega's Team Polti-VisitMalta:

He had said it in the preview of the Région Pays de la Loire: “I felt my condition improving race after race, now I’m ready and motivated to contribute to strong results”.

Said and done! On the eve of the explosive finale in Le Mans, today Gabriele Bessega finished 2nd in the queen stage of the French race. He did so at the end of a day where Polti VisitMalta once again delivered a strong team performance: compact in the peloton while chasing the day’s breakaway, present with Mirco Maestri in a nine-rider counterattack between 30 and 20 kilometers to go; and finally with Bessega joining a six-man move that formed with 13 kilometers to go on the last climb.

On the finish at a 5% gradient, the 22-year-old from Samarate was beaten only by the winner Kamp (Uno-X) thus securing his first podium in his debut Professional season. He now also sits 2nd overall, just 2 seconds behind Kamp, and wears the white jersey as best young rider.

The peloton early in the stage.

Gabriele Bessega: “I’m very happy to confirm the positive feelings from before the race and to repay the squad’s work, on the circuit I held on and forced my way into the decisive move. Let’s keep it going!”

Sports director Jesús Hernández: “We knew it would be difficult to control the situation and that attacks would come. We started focused to make sure we didn’t miss any move, and the guys executed this mindset perfectly. It’s even more rewarding to see our younger athletes already so mature. Further proof of that is Dario Igor Belletta’s 3rd place behind Bessega and L’Hote (Decathlon) in the youth classification.”

Complete results:

199 kilometers raced at an average speed of 43.097 km/hr

1 Alexander Kamp Uno-X Mobility 4hr 37min 3sec
2 Gabriele Bessega Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
3 Antoine L'Hote Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
4 Benjamin Thomas Cofidis s.t.
5 Gorka Sorarrain Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
6 Killian Théot Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
7 Corbin Strong NSN Cycling Team @ 6sec
8 Ewen Costiou Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
9 David González Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
10 Clément Venturini Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
11 Lander Loockx Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
12 Joppe Heremans Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
13 Alexandre Delettre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
14 Dario Belletta Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
15 Louis Hardouin Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
16 Bryan Coquard Cofidis s.t.
17 Eduard Prades Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
18 Adrien Maire Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
19 Xabier Berasategi Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
20 Sergi Darder Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
21 Elias Maris Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
22 Mathis Le Berre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
23 Paul Penhoët Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
24 Lucas Bénéteau St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
25 Léandre Lozouet CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
26 Martin Marcellusi Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
27 Siebe Deweirdt Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
28 Mirco Maestri Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
29 Jonas Hem Hvideberg Uno-X Mobility s.t.
30 Davide Bais Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
31 Valentin Ferron Cofidis s.t.
32 Sam Maisonobe Cofidis s.t.
33 Milan Lanhove Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
34 Killian Verschuren Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
35 Noa Isidore Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
36 Senne Thonnon Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
37 Tom Mainguenaud Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
38 Axel van der Tuuk Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
39 Thomas Champion St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
40 Lorenzo Conforti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
41 Joris Chaussinand CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
42 Alastair Mackellar EF Education-EasyPost 0:17
43 Filippo Magli Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 0:19
44 Andrea Pietrobon Team Polti-VisitMalta 0:23
45 Milan Van den Haute Team Flanders-Baloise 0:28
46 Milan Vader Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 0:35
47 Owen Geleijn Unibet Rose Rockets 1:17
48 Dion Smith NSN Cycling Team 1:24
49 Henrik Pedersen Uno-X Mobility 1:32
50 Walter Calzoni Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
51 Filippo Ridolfo Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
52 Tobias Svarre Uno-X Mobility s.t.
53 Mathias Sanlaville CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
54 David Lozano Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
55 Ethan Vernon NSN Cycling Team s.t.
56 Xabier Isasa Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
57 Clément Davy Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
58 Noah Hobbs EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
59 Gianluca Pollefliet Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
60 Pierre Gautherat Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
61 Romain Cardis St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
62 Simon Guglielmi St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
63 Thibault Guernalec Team TotalEnergies s.t.
64 Léandre Huck Van Rysel-Roubaix 1:55
65 Quinten Hermans Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 2:01
66 Miguel Angel Marin EF Education-EasyPost 2:23
67 Nate Pringle Decathlon CMA CGM Team 5:44
68 Sam Brand Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
69 Javier Ibanez Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 6:10
70 Kévin Avoine Van Rysel-Roubaix 6:38
71 Marco Manenti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 7:21
72 Nolan Huysmans Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
73 Andrea Peron Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
74 Baptiste Gillet Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
75 Victor Guernalec CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
76 Alexander Konijn Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
77 Tom Donnenwirth Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
78 Morne Van Niekerk St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
79 Lorrenzo Manzin Team TotalEnergies s.t.
80 Nicolas Debeaumarché Cofidis s.t.
81 Valentin Retailleau Team TotalEnergies s.t.
82 Louis Rouland Cofidis s.t.
83 Xabier Azparren Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 8:09
84 Alexey Lutsenko NSN Cycling Team 9:11
85 Nick Schultz NSN Cycling Team 10:24
86 Maël Guégan CIC Pro Cycling Academy 10:42
87 Remi Cavagna Groupama-FDJ United 11:24
88 Ellande Larronde Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 11:33
89 Jason Tesson Team TotalEnergies 11:52
90 Sam Bennett Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 12:01
91 Robbe Ghys Decathlon CMA CGM Team 12:04
92 Laurens Huys Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 13:04
93 Jérémy Lecroq St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 13:24
94 Titouan Fontaine Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
95 Lucas Dauge Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
96 Manuel Peñalver Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
97 Enrico Zanoncello Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
98 Fernando Gaviria Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
99 Santiago Ferraro Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
100 Paul Hennequin Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
101 Dylan Massa Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
102 Joes Oosterlinck Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
103 Similien Hamon CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
104 Stian Fredheim Uno-X Mobility 13:40
105 Erlend Blikra Uno-X Mobility s.t.
106 Jake Stewart NSN Cycling Team 14:02
107 Colin Savioz Unibet Rose Rockets 20:09

 

GC after stage 3:

  • GC leader: Alexander Kamp (Uno-X Mobility)
  • Mountains classification leader: Kévin Avoine (Van Rysel-Roubaix)
  • Point classification leader: Ethan Vernon (NSN Cycling Team)
  • Best young rider: Gabriele Bessega (Team Polti-VisitMalta)
  • Teams classification leader: Van Rysel-Roubaix

540.1 kilometers raced so far at an average speed of 45.175 km/hr

1 Alexander Kamp Uno-X Mobility 11hr 57min 21sec
2 Gabriele Bessega Team Polti-VisitMalta @ 2sec
3 Antoine L'Hote Decathlon CMA CGM Team 0:04
4 Martin Marcellusi Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 0:09
5 Lander Loockx Unibet Rose Rockets 0:11
6 Killian Théot Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
7 Gorka Sorarrain Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
8 Benjamin Thomas Cofidis s.t.
9 Axel van der Tuuk Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
10 Corbin Strong NSN Cycling Team 0:14
11 Bryan Coquard Cofidis 0:15
12 Alexandre Delettre Team TotalEnergies 0:16
13 Clément Venturini Unibet Rose Rockets 0:17
14 Xabier Berasategi Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
15 Sergi Darder Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
16 Joppe Heremans Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
17 Eduard Prades Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
18 Paul Penhoët Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
19 Dario Belletta Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
20 Mathis Le Berre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
21 Louis Hardouin Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
22 Mirco Maestri Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
23 Ewen Costiou Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
24 Noa Isidore Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
25 Senne Thonnon Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
26 Léandre Lozouet CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
27 Lorenzo Conforti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
28 Siebe Deweirdt Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
29 Davide Bais Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
30 Valentin Ferron Cofidis s.t.
31 Tom Mainguenaud Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
32 David González Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
33 Lucas Bénéteau St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
34 Milan Lanhove Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
35 Killian Verschuren Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
36 Elias Maris Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
37 Joris Chaussinand CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
38 Sam Maisonobe Cofidis s.t.
39 Adrien Maire Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
40 Thomas Champion St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
41 Jonas Hem Hvideberg Uno-X Mobility s.t.
42 Alastair Mackellar EF Education-EasyPost 0:28
43 Filippo Magli Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 0:30
44 Andrea Pietrobon Team Polti-VisitMalta 0:34
45 Milan Van den Haute Team Flanders-Baloise 0:39
46 Milan Vader Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 0:46
47 Ethan Vernon NSN Cycling Team 1:23
48 Owen Geleijn Unibet Rose Rockets 1:28
49 Simon Guglielmi St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 1:36
50 Noah Hobbs EF Education-EasyPost 1:39
51 Mathias Sanlaville CIC Pro Cycling Academy 1:43
52 Gianluca Pollefliet Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
53 Filippo Ridolfo Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
54 Romain Cardis St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
55 Pierre Gautherat Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
56 Xabier Isasa Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
57 Henrik Pedersen Uno-X Mobility s.t.
58 Clément Davy Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
59 Walter Calzoni Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
60 David Lozano Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
61 Tobias Svarre Uno-X Mobility s.t.
62 Quinten Hermans Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 2:12
63 Léandre Huck Van Rysel-Roubaix 2:37
64 Dion Smith NSN Cycling Team 4:48
65 Sam Brand Team Novo Nordisk 5:55
66 Miguel Angel Marin EF Education-EasyPost 6:19
67 Kévin Avoine Van Rysel-Roubaix 6:42
68 Nate Pringle Decathlon CMA CGM Team 7:06
69 Alexander Konijn Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 7:32
70 Marco Manenti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
71 Nolan Huysmans Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
72 Tom Donnenwirth Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
73 Victor Guernalec CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
74 Morne Van Niekerk St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
75 Andrea Peron Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
76 Baptiste Gillet Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
77 Louis Rouland Cofidis s.t.
78 Valentin Retailleau Team TotalEnergies 7:53
79 Lorrenzo Manzin Team TotalEnergies 9:02
80 Nick Schultz NSN Cycling Team 10:35
81 Alexey Lutsenko NSN Cycling Team 11:27
82 Remi Cavagna Groupama-FDJ United 11:35
83 Maël Guégan CIC Pro Cycling Academy 11:41
84 Nicolas Debeaumarché Cofidis 12:00
85 Jason Tesson Team TotalEnergies 12:03
86 Sam Bennett Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 12:08
87 Laurens Huys Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 13:15
88 Santiago Ferraro Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 13:34
89 Manuel Peñalver Team Polti-VisitMalta 13:35
90 Joes Oosterlinck Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
91 Enrico Zanoncello Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
92 Erlend Blikra Uno-X Mobility 13:39
93 Similien Hamon CIC Pro Cycling Academy 14:25
94 Jake Stewart NSN Cycling Team 15:01
95 Fernando Gaviria Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 15:04
96 Thibault Guernalec Team TotalEnergies 15:48
97 Javier Ibanez Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 16:21
98 Ellande Larronde Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 17:02
99 Jérémy Lecroq St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 18:54
100 Paul Hennequin Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
101 Titouan Fontaine Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
102 Xabier Azparren Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 19:20
103 Robbe Ghys Decathlon CMA CGM Team 19:38
104 Colin Savioz Unibet Rose Rockets 20:20
105 Dylan Massa Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 21:35
106 Lucas Dauge Team Novo Nordisk 23:06
107 Stian Fredheim Uno-X Mobility 25:07

 

Stage 3 map & profile:

Stage 3 map

Stage 3 profile


Wednesday, April 8: Stage 2, La Garnache - Les Sables-d'Olonne, 153.6 km

Stage 2 map & profile

Ethan Vernon is now two for two. Photo: Sprint Cycling

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Weather at the finish at Les Sables-d'Olonne at 2:35 PM, local time: 22C (69F), sunny, with the wind from the west at 11 km/hr (7 mph). There is just a 2% chance of rain.

The race: Here's the report from stage winner & GC leader Ethan Vernon's NSN Cycling Team.

Ethan Vernon claimed back-to-back victories for the fourth time in his career on Wednesday as he doubled up at Region Pays de la Loire in France to extend his lead on GC.

Vernon‘s victory in today’s second stage felt similar to his triumph in Vertou on Tuesday, as the British rider produced an emphatic sprint in Les Sables-d’Olonne at the end of a stage during which he and his NSN teammates were again put under pressure by the home teams.

The 25-year-old last took consecutive victories in a race at the Tour de Guangxi in October 2024, and this latest back-to-back sees him increase his gap over his nearest rival on GC – Erlend Blikra (UXM), who came second once again – to eight seconds.

Sports Director Alex Cataford said:
“Another strong showing from the team today. The final 5km was very tricky, so it was essential to have our lead-out for Corbin and Ethan dialled. The guys executed it really well, and Ethan once again showed he is the best sprinter here, taking the win.

"Corbin again finished strongly just behind, and tomorrow we will focus on his GC ambitions.”

Complete results:

153.6 kilometers raced at an average speed of 45.217 km/hr

1 Ethan Vernon NSN Cycling Team 3hr 23min 49sec
2 Erlend Blikra Uno-X Mobility s.t.
3 Sam Bennett Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
4 Jason Tesson Team TotalEnergies s.t.
5 Enrico Zanoncello Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
6 Gianluca Pollefliet Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
7 Manuel Peñalver Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
8 Corbin Strong NSN Cycling Team s.t.
9 Joes Oosterlinck Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
10 Mathias Sanlaville CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
11 Clément Venturini Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
12 Marco Manenti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
13 Sergi Darder Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
14 Xabier Berasategi Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
15 Jérémy Lecroq St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
16 Stian Fredheim Uno-X Mobility s.t.
17 Noah Hobbs EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
18 Bryan Coquard Cofidis s.t.
19 Alexander Konijn Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
20 Mathis Le Berre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
21 Filippo Magli Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
22 Eduard Prades Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
23 Paul Hennequin Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
24 Killian Théot Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
25 Lander Loockx Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
26 Joppe Heremans Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
27 Romain Cardis St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
28 Filippo Ridolfo Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
29 Alexandre Delettre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
30 Tom Mainguenaud Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
31 Pierre Gautherat Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
32 Tom Donnenwirth Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
33 Dario Belletta Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
34 Gorka Sorarrain Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
35 Lorenzo Conforti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
36 Paul Penhoët Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
37 Senne Thonnon Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
38 Léandre Lozouet CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
39 Louis Hardouin Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
40 Axel van der Tuuk Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
41 Antoine L'Hote Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
42 Mirco Maestri Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
43 Davide Bais Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
44 Siebe Deweirdt Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
45 Lucas Bénéteau St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
46 Noa Isidore Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
47 Miguel Angel Marin EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
48 Nolan Huysmans Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
49 Ellande Larronde Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
50 Ewen Costiou Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
51 Benjamin Thomas Cofidis s.t.
52 Milan Van den Haute Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
53 Andrea Pietrobon Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
54 Valentin Ferron Cofidis s.t.
55 Milan Lanhove Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
56 Killian Verschuren Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
57 Jake Stewart NSN Cycling Team s.t.
58 Clément Davy Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
59 Elias Maris Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
60 Martin Marcellusi Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
61 Xabier Isasa Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
62 Thomas Champion St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
63 Gabriele Bessega Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
64 Santiago Ferraro Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
65 David González Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
66 Joris Chaussinand CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
67 Milan Vader Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
68 Valentin Retailleau Team TotalEnergies s.t.
69 Nicolas Debeaumarché Cofidis s.t.
70 Victor Guernalec CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
71 Andrea Peron Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
72 Simon Guglielmi St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
73 Remi Cavagna Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
74 Lorrenzo Manzin Team TotalEnergies s.t.
75 Adrien Maire Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
76 Quinten Hermans Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
77 Colin Savioz Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
78 Walter Calzoni Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
79 Nick Schultz NSN Cycling Team s.t.
80 Louis Rouland Cofidis s.t.
81 David Lozano Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
82 Laurens Huys Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
83 Dion Smith NSN Cycling Team s.t.
84 Nate Pringle Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
85 Owen Geleijn Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
86 Sam Brand Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
87 Henrik Pedersen Uno-X Mobility s.t.
88 Morne Van Niekerk St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
89 Tobias Svarre Uno-X Mobility s.t.
90 Baptiste Gillet Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
91 Jonas Hem Hvideberg Uno-X Mobility s.t.
92 Alastair Mackellar EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
93 Alexander Kamp Uno-X Mobility s.t.
94 Léandre Huck Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
95 Lucas Dauge Team Novo Nordisk @ 37sec
96 Sam Maisonobe Cofidis 0:42
97 Yago Aguirre Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:50
98 Similien Hamon CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
99 Maël Guégan CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
100 Lewis Bower Groupama-FDJ United 0:54
101 Javier Ibanez Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 1:09
102 Dylan Massa Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 1:29
103 Titouan Fontaine Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
104 Alexey Lutsenko NSN Cycling Team 1:30
105 Fernando Gaviria Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
106 Robbe Ghys Decathlon CMA CGM Team 1:48
107 Xabier Azparren Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 2:06
108 Kévin Avoine Van Rysel-Roubaix 2:32
109 Thibault Guernalec Team TotalEnergies 5:33
110 Louis Sutton Euskaltel-Euskadi 9:23

 

GC after stage 2:

  • GC leader: Ethan Vernon (NSN Cycling Team)
  • Mountains classification leader: Similien Hamon (CIC Pro Cycling Academy)
  • Points classification leader: Ethan Vernon (NSN Cycling Team)
  • Best young rider: Noah Hobbs (EF Education-EasyPost)
  • Teams classification leader: Team Polti-VisitMalta

341.1 kilometers raced so far at an average speed of 46.498 km/hr

1 Ethan Vernon NSN Cycling Team 7hr 20min 9sec
2 Erlend Blikra Uno-X Mobility @ 8sec
3 Martin Marcellusi Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber 0:12
4 Simon Guglielmi St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 0:13
5 Lander Loockx Unibet Rose Rockets 0:14
6 Axel van der Tuuk Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
7 Noah Hobbs EF Education-EasyPost 0:16
8 Sam Bennett Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
9 Gabriele Bessega Team Polti-VisitMalta 0:19
10 Santiago Ferraro Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
11 Jason Tesson Team TotalEnergies 0:20
12 Manuel Peñalver Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
13 Corbin Strong NSN Cycling Team s.t.
14 Joes Oosterlinck Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
15 Gianluca Pollefliet Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
16 Clément Venturini Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
17 Mathias Sanlaville CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
18 Sergi Darder Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
19 Xabier Berasategi Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
20 Bryan Coquard Cofidis s.t.
21 Enrico Zanoncello Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
22 Alexander Konijn Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
23 Eduard Prades Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
24 Filippo Ridolfo Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
25 Paul Penhoët Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
26 Joppe Heremans Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
27 Mathis Le Berre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
28 Marco Manenti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
29 Alexandre Delettre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
30 Dario Belletta Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
31 Filippo Magli Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
32 Romain Cardis St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
33 Nolan Huysmans Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
34 Mirco Maestri Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
35 Louis Hardouin Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
36 Noa Isidore Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
37 Senne Thonnon Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
38 Pierre Gautherat Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
39 Killian Théot Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
40 Lorenzo Conforti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
41 Tom Donnenwirth Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
42 Ewen Costiou Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
43 Léandre Lozouet CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
44 Siebe Deweirdt Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
45 Davide Bais Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
46 Gorka Sorarrain Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
47 Milan Vader Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
48 Tom Mainguenaud Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
49 Andrea Pietrobon Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
50 Valentin Ferron Cofidis s.t.
51 Xabier Isasa Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
52 Owen Geleijn Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
53 Milan Lanhove Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
54 Joris Chaussinand CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
55 Killian Verschuren Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
56 Antoine L'Hote Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
57 Lucas Bénéteau St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
58 Henrik Pedersen Uno-X Mobility s.t.
59 Benjamin Thomas Cofidis s.t.
60 Elias Maris Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
61 David González Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
62 Morne Van Niekerk St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
63 Thomas Champion St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
64 Victor Guernalec CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
65 Clément Davy Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
66 Andrea Peron Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
67 Louis Rouland Cofidis s.t.
68 Milan Van den Haute Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
69 Adrien Maire Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
70 Jonas Hem Hvideberg Uno-X Mobility s.t.
71 Baptiste Gillet Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
72 Walter Calzoni Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
73 Alastair Mackellar EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
74 Quinten Hermans Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
75 Colin Savioz Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
76 Remi Cavagna Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
77 Nick Schultz NSN Cycling Team s.t.
78 David Lozano Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
79 Laurens Huys Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
80 Sam Brand Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
81 Tobias Svarre Uno-X Mobility s.t.
82 Alexander Kamp Uno-X Mobility s.t.
83 Valentin Retailleau Team TotalEnergies 0:41
84 Léandre Huck Van Rysel-Roubaix 0:51
85 Sam Maisonobe Cofidis 1:02
86 Jake Stewart NSN Cycling Team 1:08
87 Maël Guégan CIC Pro Cycling Academy 1:10
88 Similien Hamon CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
89 Lewis Bower Groupama-FDJ United 1:14
90 Nate Pringle Decathlon CMA CGM Team 1:31
91 Fernando Gaviria Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 1:50
92 Lorrenzo Manzin Team TotalEnergies s.t.
93 Alexey Lutsenko NSN Cycling Team 2:26
94 Kévin Avoine Van Rysel-Roubaix 2:48
95 Dion Smith NSN Cycling Team 3:33
96 Miguel Angel Marin EF Education-EasyPost 4:05
97 Nicolas Debeaumarché Cofidis 4:48
98 Jérémy Lecroq St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 5:39
99 Paul Hennequin Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
100 Ellande Larronde Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
101 Titouan Fontaine Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
102 Robbe Ghys Decathlon CMA CGM Team 7:43
103 Dylan Massa Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 8:20
104 Louis Sutton Euskaltel-Euskadi 9:43
105 Lucas Dauge Team Novo Nordisk 9:51
106 Yago Aguirre Euskaltel-Euskadi 10:04
107 Javier Ibanez Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 10:20
108 Xabier Azparren Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 11:20
109 Stian Fredheim Uno-X Mobility 11:36
110 Thibault Guernalec Team TotalEnergies 14:25

 

Stage 2 map & profile:

Stage 2 map

Stage 2 profile


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The Story of the Giro d’Italia, vol.1 Shade Vise sunglass holder Paris-Roubaix: The Inside Store

Tuesday, April 7: Stage 1, Fontevraud-l'Abbaye - Vertou, 187.5 km

Stage 1 map & profile

Ethan Vernon wins the first stage.

Tour de France: 2023

Bill & Carol McGann’s book The Story of the 2023 Tour de France, 2023: The Viking Again Conquers the Tour is available in both Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Weather at the finish city of Vertou at 2:50 PM, local time: 26C (79F), sunny, with the wind from the south-southeast at 22 km/hr (14 mph). No rain is forecast.

The race: Here's the report from winner Ethan Vernon's NSN Cycling Team.

Ethan Vernon’s best-ever season start continued on Tuesday as he took his third victory of 2026 in the opening stage of Région Pays de la Loire Tour in Vertou.

Already a winner in the Tour Down Under and Volta a Catalunya, the team’s home race, this year, Vernon delivered another controlled and authoritative performance, powering to victory with a dominant 150-metre sprint to take the early GC lead in the French ProSeries race. Behind, teammate Corbin Strong placed sixth.

The stage was raced at a relentless pace from the start, with an average speed of 47.5 km/h underlining the intensity of the day. An early breakaway forced the team to take responsibility in the peloton, committing fully to bring the gap back under control.

That work paid off in the finale. The breakaway was reeled in at the right moment, setting up a perfect scenario for Vernon. Delivered into position by a strong collective effort, he launched his sprint inside the final 150 metres and powered clear to take a convincing win in Vertou.

It's time to go racing in France. Stage one gets its official start.

Vernon said:
“It was a super tough race. I’ve won a couple of WorldTour races this year, but those stages were much more controlled. I think you can expect an aggressive race when you come to these French races – Cofidis and some other teams were trying to make it an aggressive race.

"They chucked a lot at us, but we responded well. We had to control a lot, and we had to use all our guys, but the guys brought it back for a bunch sprint. Chapeau to them, as we were tested today.”

Vernon added:
“For us, it was important to find a race where the guys who are going to the Giro could come together and race together. It fitted perfectly in our calendar, and we could send a super strong team here. I asked to come here, and the team supported the idea. Corbin, Dion, and I all have different ambitions and race programmes, but this was the one that worked for everyone. The preparation and chemistry for the Giro start here for us.

"I’m really happy with how the season is going. I always know that, when my confidence starts to grow, it produces better results. I think the UAE Tour is the only race I’ve been to this year where I didn’t win a stage. And, as a team, we’ve stepped up across the board this year. I think we’ve got seven wins already, we’re in a good place, and the morale within the team is growing.”

Sports Director Alex Cataford said:
“The team rode very strongly today, taking control of the race and making sure it came back together for a sprint to the line. Ethan showed once again that he is one of the sprinters to beat in 2026, taking his third win of the year in commanding fashion.

"Corbin was also very present throughout the day and remains a key focus for us in the general classification here at the race.”

Vernon’s victory sees him take the first leader’s jersey of the race, while Strong’s sixth place capped off a strong collective performance from the team on stage one.

Complete results:

187.5 kilometers raced at an average speed of 47.535 km/hr

1 Ethan Vernon NSN Cycling Team 3hr 56min 40sec
2 Erlend Blikra Uno-X Mobility s.t.
3 Noah Hobbs EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
4 Paul Penhoët Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
5 Joes Oosterlinck Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
6 Corbin Strong NSN Cycling Team s.t.
7 Manuel Peñalver Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
8 Jason Tesson Team TotalEnergies s.t.
9 Nolan Huysmans Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
10 Clément Venturini Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
11 Bryan Coquard Cofidis s.t.
12 Filippo Ridolfo Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
13 Gianluca Pollefliet Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
14 Mathias Sanlaville CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
15 Xabier Berasategi Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
16 Sergi Darder Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
17 Joppe Heremans Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
18 Eduard Prades Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
19 Mirco Maestri Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
20 Alexander Konijn Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
21 Dario Belletta Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
22 Owen Geleijn Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
23 Noa Isidore Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
24 Alexandre Delettre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
25 Enrico Zanoncello Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
26 Mathis Le Berre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
27 Sam Bennett Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
28 Milan Vader Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
29 Louis Hardouin Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
30 Romain Cardis St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
31 Sam Maisonobe Cofidis s.t.
32 Ewen Costiou Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
33 Senne Thonnon Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
34 Henrik Pedersen Uno-X Mobility s.t.
35 Fernando Gaviria Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
36 Filippo Magli Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
37 Marco Manenti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
38 Louis Sutton Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
39 Lorenzo Conforti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
40 Pierre Gautherat Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
41 Lander Loockx Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
42 Morne Van Niekerk St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
43 Gabriele Bessega Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
44 Siebe Deweirdt Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
45 Joris Chaussinand CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
46 Xabier Isasa Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
47 Davide Bais Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
48 Killian Théot Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
49 Léandre Lozouet CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
50 Tom Donnenwirth Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
51 Andrea Pietrobon Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
52 Jonas Hem Hvideberg Uno-X Mobility s.t.
53 Valentin Ferron Cofidis s.t.
54 Milan Lanhove Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
55 Baptiste Gillet Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
56 Killian Verschuren Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
57 Gorka Sorarrain Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
58 Louis Rouland Cofidis s.t.
59 Kévin Avoine Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
60 Alastair Mackellar EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
61 Santiago Ferraro Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
62 Victor Guernalec CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
63 Martin Marcellusi Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
64 Paul Hennequin Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
65 David González Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
66 Andrea Peron Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
67 Adrien Maire Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
68 Elias Maris Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
69 Thomas Champion St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
70 Walter Calzoni Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
71 Tom Mainguenaud Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
72 Lucas Bénéteau St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
73 Benjamin Thomas Cofidis s.t.
74 Antoine L'Hote Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
75 Lewis Bower Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
76 Clément Davy Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
77 Maël Guégan CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
78 Colin Savioz Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
79 Quinten Hermans Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
80 Nick Schultz NSN Cycling Team s.t.
81 Simon Guglielmi St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
82 Tobias Svarre Uno-X Mobility s.t.
83 David Lozano Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
84 Remi Cavagna Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
85 Sam Brand Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
86 Laurens Huys Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
87 Alexander Kamp Uno-X Mobility s.t.
88 Milan Van den Haute Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
89 Similien Hamon CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
90 Valentin Retailleau Team TotalEnergies @ 21sec
91 Léandre Huck Van Rysel-Roubaix 0:31
92 Alexey Lutsenko NSN Cycling Team 0:36
93 Jake Stewart NSN Cycling Team 0:48
94 Nate Pringle Decathlon CMA CGM Team 1:11
95 Lorrenzo Manzin Team TotalEnergies 1:30
96 Dion Smith NSN Cycling Team 3:13
97 Miguel Angel Marin EF Education-EasyPost 3:45
98 Titouan Fontaine Groupama-FDJ United 3:50
99 Nicolas Debeaumarché Cofidis 4:28
100 Ellande Larronde Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 5:19
101 Axel van der Tuuk Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
102 Jérémy Lecroq St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
103 Robbe Ghys Decathlon CMA CGM Team 5:35
104 Dylan Massa Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 6:31
105 Thibault Guernalec Team TotalEnergies 8:32
106 Javier Ibanez Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 8:54
107 Xabier Azparren Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
108 Lucas Dauge Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
109 Yago Aguirre Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
110 Matthias Schwarzbacher EF Education-EasyPost 9:17
111 Stian Fredheim Uno-X Mobility 11:16

 

GC after stage 1:

  • GC leader: Ethan Vernon (NSN Cycling Team)
  • Mountains classification leader: Lander Loockx (Unibet Rose Rockets)
  • Points classification leader: Ethan Vernon (NSN Cycling Team)
  • Best young rider: Noah Hobbes (EF Education-EasyPost)
  • Teams classification leader: Team Polti-VisitMalta
1 Ethan Vernon NSN Cycling Team 3hr 56min 30sec
2 Erlend Blikra Uno-X Mobility @ 4sec
3 Lander Loockx Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
4 Axel van der Tuuk Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
5 Noah Hobbs EF Education-EasyPost 0:06
6 Kévin Avoine Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
7 Gabriele Bessega Team Polti-VisitMalta 0:09
8 Santiago Ferraro Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
9 Paul Penhoët Groupama-FDJ United 0:10
10 Joes Oosterlinck Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
11 Corbin Strong NSN Cycling Team s.t.
12 Manuel Peñalver Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
13 Jason Tesson Team TotalEnergies s.t.
14 Nolan Huysmans Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
15 Clément Venturini Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
16 Bryan Coquard Cofidis s.t.
17 Filippo Ridolfo Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
18 Gianluca Pollefliet Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
19 Mathias Sanlaville CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
20 Xabier Berasategi Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
21 Sergi Darder Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
22 Joppe Heremans Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
23 Eduard Prades Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
24 Mirco Maestri Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
25 Alexander Konijn Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
26 Dario Belletta Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
27 Owen Geleijn Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
28 Noa Isidore Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
29 Alexandre Delettre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
30 Enrico Zanoncello Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
31 Mathis Le Berre Team TotalEnergies s.t.
32 Sam Bennett Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
33 Milan Vader Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
34 Louis Hardouin Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
35 Romain Cardis St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
36 Sam Maisonobe Cofidis s.t.
37 Ewen Costiou Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
38 Senne Thonnon Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
39 Henrik Pedersen Uno-X Mobility s.t.
40 Fernando Gaviria Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
41 Filippo Magli Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
42 Marco Manenti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
43 Louis Sutton Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
44 Lorenzo Conforti Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
45 Pierre Gautherat Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
46 Morne Van Niekerk St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
47 Siebe Deweirdt Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
48 Joris Chaussinand CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
49 Xabier Isasa Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
50 Davide Bais Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
51 Killian Théot Van Rysel-Roubaix s.t.
52 Léandre Lozouet CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
53 Tom Donnenwirth Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
54 Andrea Pietrobon Team Polti-VisitMalta s.t.
55 Jonas Hem Hvideberg Uno-X Mobility s.t.
56 Valentin Ferron Cofidis s.t.
57 Milan Lanhove Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
58 Baptiste Gillet Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
59 Killian Verschuren Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
60 Gorka Sorarrain Caja Rural-Seguros RGA s.t.
61 Louis Rouland Cofidis s.t.
62 Alastair Mackellar EF Education-EasyPost s.t.
63 Victor Guernalec CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
64 Martin Marcellusi Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber s.t.
65 David González Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
66 Andrea Peron Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
67 Adrien Maire Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
68 Elias Maris Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
69 Thomas Champion St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
70 Walter Calzoni Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
71 Tom Mainguenaud Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
72 Lucas Bénéteau St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
73 Benjamin Thomas Cofidis s.t.
74 Antoine L'Hote Decathlon CMA CGM Team s.t.
75 Lewis Bower Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
76 Clément Davy Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
77 Maël Guégan CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
78 Colin Savioz Unibet Rose Rockets s.t.
79 Quinten Hermans Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
80 Nick Schultz NSN Cycling Team s.t.
81 Simon Guglielmi St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
82 Tobias Svarre Uno-X Mobility s.t.
83 David Lozano Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
84 Remi Cavagna Groupama-FDJ United s.t.
85 Sam Brand Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
86 Laurens Huys Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur s.t.
87 Alexander Kamp Uno-X Mobility s.t.
88 Milan Van den Haute Team Flanders-Baloise s.t.
89 Similien Hamon CIC Pro Cycling Academy s.t.
90 Valentin Retailleau Team TotalEnergies 0:31
91 Léandre Huck Van Rysel-Roubaix 0:41
92 Alexey Lutsenko NSN Cycling Team 0:46
93 Jake Stewart NSN Cycling Team 0:58
94 Nate Pringle Decathlon CMA CGM Team 1:21
95 Lorrenzo Manzin Team TotalEnergies 1:40
96 Dion Smith NSN Cycling Team 3:23
97 Miguel Angel Marin EF Education-EasyPost 3:55
98 Titouan Fontaine Groupama-FDJ United 4:00
99 Nicolas Debeaumarché Cofidis 4:38
100 Ellande Larronde Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 5:29
101 Paul Hennequin Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
102 Jérémy Lecroq St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93 s.t.
103 Robbe Ghys Decathlon CMA CGM Team 5:45
104 Dylan Massa Nice Métropole-Côte d’Azur 6:41
105 Thibault Guernalec Team TotalEnergies 8:42
106 Javier Ibanez Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 9:04
107 Xabier Azparren Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team s.t.
108 Lucas Dauge Team Novo Nordisk s.t.
109 Yago Aguirre Euskaltel-Euskadi s.t.
110 Matthias Schwarzbacher EF Education-EasyPost 9:27
111 Stian Fredheim Uno-X Mobility 11:26

Stage 1 map & profile:

Stage 1 map

Stage 1 profile



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Start list with back numbers, April 6, 2026:

EF Education-EasyPost
1 Noah Hobbs
2 Alastair Mackellar
4 Matthias Schwarzbacher
6 Miguel Angel Marin
Groupama-FDJ United
11 Lewis Bower
12 Remi Cavagna
13 Ewen Costiou
14 Tom Donnenwirth
15 Titouan Fontaine
16 Paul Penhoët
Decathlon CMA CGM Team
21 Pierre Gautherat
22 Robbe Ghys
23 Noa Isidore
24 Antoine L'Hote
25 Gianluca Pollefliet
26 Nate Pringle
Uno-X Mobility
31 Alexander Kamp
32 Tobias Svarre
33 Jonas Hem Hvideberg
34 Erlend Blikra
35 Stian Fredheim
36 Henrik Pedersen
NSN Cycling Team
41 Alexey Lutsenko
42 Nick Schultz
43 Dion Smith
44 Corbin Strong
45 Jake Stewart
46 Ethan Vernon
Cofidis
51 Bryan Coquard
52 Sam Maisonobe
53 Benjamin Thomas
54 Valentin Ferron
55 Louis Rouland
56 Nicolas Debeaumarché
Team TotalEnergies
61 Alexandre Delettre
62 Thibault Guernalec
63 Mathis Le Berre
64 Lorrenzo Manzin
65 Valentin Retailleau
66 Jason Tesson
Unibet Rose Rockets
71 Adrien Maire
72 Killian Verschuren
73 Clément Venturini
74 Lander Loockx
75 Owen Geleijn
76 Colin Savioz
Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
81 Xabier Azparren
82 Sam Bennett
83 Walter Calzoni
84 Quinten Hermans
85 David González
86 Milan Vader
Team Novo Nordisk
91 Hamish Armitt
92 Sam Brand
93 Lucas Dauge
94 David Lozano
95 Andrea Peron
96 Filippo Ridolfo
Team Polti-VisitMalta
101 Gabriele Bessega
102 Mirco Maestri
103 Andrea Pietrobon
104 Manuel Peñalver
105 Dario Belletta
106 Davide Bais
Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber
111 Lorenzo Conforti
112 Santiago Ferraro
113 Filippo Magli
114 Marco Manenti
115 Martin Marcellusi
116 Enrico Zanoncello
Team Flanders-Baloise
121 Siebe Deweirdt
122 Nolan Huysmans
123 Milan Lanhove
124 Elias Maris
125 Senne Thonnon
126 Milan Van den Haute
Euskaltel-Euskadi
131 Paul Hennequin
132 Axel van der Tuuk
133 Xabier Berasategi
134 Xabier Isasa
135 Louis Sutton
136 Yago Aguirre
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
141 Fernando Gaviria
142 Sergi Darder
143 Ellande Larronde
144 Javier Ibanez
145 Gorka Sorarrain
146 Eduard Prades
CIC Pro Cycling Academy
151 Maël Guégan
152 Victor Guernalec
153 Similien Hamon
154 Léandre Lozouet
155 Joris Chaussinand
156 Mathias Sanlaville
Nice Métropole-Côte d'Azur
161 Clément Davy
162 Alexander Konijn
163 Tom Mainguenaud
164 Dylan Massa
165 Baptiste Gillet
166 Laurens Huys
St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93
171 Thomas Champion
172 Romain Cardis
173 Simon Guglielmi
174 Lucas Bénéteau
175 Jérémy Lecroq
176 Morne Van Niekerk
Van Rysel-Roubaix
181 Kévin Avoine
182 Louis Hardouin
183 Joppe Heremans
184 Léandre Huck
185 Joes Oosterlinck
186 Killian Théot