Uijtdebroeks runs into unstoppable Prodhomme after Visma | Lease a Bike’s hard work; Colombier will bring decision

Despite Visma | Lease a Bike making it a tough race on Wednesday's only climb, it was Groupama-FDJ that took the win. The French team won the opening stage with Tom Donnenwirth and saw David Gaudu and Lorenzo Germani finish second and fourth, respectively.

On Thursday, the course would be even more challenging, creating new opportunities for Visma | Lease a Bike. It was a lightning-fast first hour, leaving us without a breakaway group at the foot of the Côte d'Ambronay, which transitioned into the Col de Montgriffon. It was here that Gianluca Brambilla, Jaakko Hänninen, Sergio Samitier, Thomas Champion, and Antoine Berlin broke away.

Visma | Lease a Bike once again set the pace in the peloton, which, after the first two climbs (just like the breakaway group), would encounter almost no flat kilometers. We raced over the Côte de Giron, and Visma really stepped on the gas with Wilco Kelderman on the Col de Menthières. With 27 kilometers to go, Uijtdebroeks attacked, with only Prodhomme able to follow.

The two picked up the last of the early breakaway riders and came over the top together. From there, it was a rapid descent and then a climb to the finish in Lélex Monts-Jura. Cofidis and Arkéa-B&B Hotels tried to limit the damage in the chasing group, but the gap was already a minute and a half at the start of the last 10 kilometers. The two strongest riders were in front.

From here on, it was actually a status quo, because Uijtdebroeks and Prodhomme knew that, in addition to the stage victory, they were also riding for a big lead in the GC. Hence, the cooperation was excellent until shortly before the finish line. A minute and a half was thus extended to just under two minutes, which meant that the duo knew that they would also be battling for the overall victory on Friday.

In the final kilometers, all eyes were on the sprint for the stage win. Prodhomme had never won before 2025, but had already triumphed four times in the Tour of the Alps, Giro d'Italia, and La Route d'Occitanie (stage and overall victory), while Uijtdebroeks still had a blank record. The Belgian tried to break away, but was unable to prevent a sprint.

He was beaten by the Frenchman, who has been virtually unbeatable this year. As a result, Prodhomme also goes into the final day of the Tour de l'Ain as the leader, four seconds ahead of his Belgian rival. Visma | Lease a Bike can play for the top spot on the Col du Grand Colombier on the final day with Tijmen Graat and Ben Tulett high in the standings behind Uijtdebroeks.