Laurance proud of INEOS after “genius” roundabout tactic, as Riccitello seals Decathlon’s Provence overall

The general classification in Provence was effectively decided on day 2, after a tight uphill sprint between Riccitello and INEOS leader Carlos Rodríguez. The American climber took the leader’s jersey and did not relinquish it on the final day. INEOS did, however, take a valuable prize in the finale: Axel Laurance stayed ahead of the peloton and took the stage win.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” Laurance said afterwards at Cyclism'Actu. “Last year it just didn’t happen, but I was really motivated this winter. Today it paid off. I wanted to race today — we discussed that before the start. We wanted to put Decathlon CMA CGM under pressure and when I made it into the break, they did get nervous.”

Riccitello’s overall win never came under serious threat, but INEOS still won the stage — and Laurance did it in brilliant fashion. INEOS applied pressure in the wind, the Frenchman moved himself into the front group, and when only two riders remained, Laurance made a smart call at a roundabout: he chose the right-hand side while his rival went left. It proved the decisive move.

“Everyone knew I was the fastest up front, so I expected it would be really difficult,” Laurance explained. “In the end I did it perfectly at the final roundabout — I forced Daniel Arnes to the left and I went right. Going solo is what won it. Otherwise we probably would have been caught. Now I want more wins — any race, whatever it is.”

For Laurance’s team-mate Rodríguez, there was no late raid left for the overall. “Of course I would have liked to win, but I have to be satisfied,” he said. “On the second day I showed I’m at a good level. I wasn’t the strongest, but I was in the mix again and that’s what counts. I need to build back into form. With a stage win and second and third in the general classification, we can be happy.”

Behind runner-up Rodríguez, Brandon Rivera finished third overall for INEOS, meaning the British squad were frequently on the podium on the final day. The top step, however, belonged to Riccitello — who in his very first race for Decathlon immediately took both a stage win and the overall.

“The team did everything perfectly, despite the wind,” said the American GC winner. “This is a great start to my season. It motivates me for what’s still to come.”