Kévin Vauquelin (1st stage): 1st pro victory!

4th in the Etoile de Bessèges, the young ARKEA-SAMSIC squad member seized his chance as he approached the red flame on the first stage of the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var between Saint-Raphaël and Ramatuelle.

Thanks to some powerful, well-timed hocks and probably sensing the misunderstanding of his two rivals Neilson Powless (EF) and Kévin Geniets (Groupama-FDJ), the young Bajocasse distanced them and crossed the line, alone.

Starting in Saint-Raphaël, the 187-kilometer stage saw a five-rider breakaway form at kilometer 0. That small group had as much as a 4'35" lead. With 10 kilometers to go, six more riders took off. Among them, Kévin Vauquelin, on his way to victory!