Sports writing, Feb 3 (EFE) .- A powerful acceleration in a high finish allowed the Frenchman Christophe Laporte (Cofidis) to debut the leader’s jersey in the 51st edition of the Estrella de Bessegès, in a day of 143.6 kilometers with departure and arrival in Bellegarde.
Laporte, 28 years old and winner of the 2019 test, achieved success with 600 meters to go with an attack that allowed him to raise his arms as the winner, with a time of 3h.14.30, the same as his compatriot Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea Samsic).
The main group entered within 2 seconds with former Danish world road champion Mads Pedersen (Trek Segafredo) leading the way.
The premiere of the French event, which will run until next Sunday, was animated with a start break featuring three modest riders: the French Louvet and Delettre and the Belgian Paquot, with leave from the peloton to reach differences that touched 9 minutes.
There was a reaction from the teams interested in the massive arrival, so in the middle of the race AG2R and Bora-Hansgrohe stabilized the adventure in 3 minutes, rent that was less as the finish line approached in the Cota de Le Tour, in Bellegarde .
Lotto-Soudal and Cofidis lent a hand to destroy the illusions of the trio of fugitives, who ended up being absorbed by the mob 10 kilometers from the last line.
The end invited excitement, because in the last 600 meters the road rose with a slope of 6.3 percent, an obstacle for the fastest men and an invitation for cyclists with a final “punch”.
General regrouping and start of the action protocol for the victory. Ahead a section at a frenetic pace, ungovernable due to the multiple interests in the fight for the first leader’s jersey. The last minute maneuvers forced Ineos de Bernal and Geraint Thomas to take the lead.
The illustrious names were spared a fall produced by a “sharpener” that brought down a handful of runners. The first nerves of the season. The triumphs are sold expensive in a cycling that still lives with the daily uncertainty due to the health pandemic.
The stage was in the air, the battle unleashed for the position. Italian Filippo Ganna (Ineos), World Chrono champion, sharpened the peloton until it was divided into several sectors.
The final wall remained. Sprinter Nacer Bouhanni was the first to light the fuse with an attack that allowed him to distance himself a few meters, but Laporte, very attentive, hit the wheel.
With the experience accumulated in this career, Laporte joined his compatriot to make the final selection for the victory. He attacked 200 meters from the banner and successfully won the fourth stage at the Estrella de Bessegès, the talisman test for the La Seyne-sur-Mer cyclist. A good season premiere.
Laporte will defend the leader’s jersey with 4 seconds ahead of Bouhanni and 8 seconds ahead of Pedersen in the second stage that takes place this Thursday between Saint-Geniès and La Calmette, of 154.2 kilometers.
