Kevin Vauquelin, 21, made a name for himself in the professional peloton by winning, on Sunday February 19, the 55e Tour of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var. The Norman, a member of the Arkéa-Samsic formation, finished third in the last stage (+5”), won, in Vence (Alpes-Maritimes), by another Frenchman, Aurélien Paret-Peintre (second overall, at 7”). “Doing that, after a day under pressure, I don’t really realize. I managed to make the necessary efforts at the right time,” reacted the native of Bayeux, now a resident of Cagnes-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes).
Kévin Vauquelin wins the Tour of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var! ? The 21-year-old Norman (Arkéa-Samsic) resisted… https://t.co/mxuhqYYaGd
Leaving Sunday February 19 from Villefranche-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes), with a 7-second margin over his first pursuer, the rider was able to keep the yellow jersey he had put on on Friday, at the end of the first stage. . He won his first general classification two days after opening his counter of victories among the pros. A tour de force for the young cyclist, who turned professional last season. During this Tour of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var Vauquelin was opposed to some sure values of the peloton, in particular the French Romain Bardet, David Gaudu and Thibaut Pinot, the American Neilson Powless (3e of the final classification) and the Luxembourger Kévin Geniets (4e).
Pogacar flies over the debates in Andalusia
The Tour des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var, without being one of the most prestigious events of the season, offers young riders a great springboard: “ I wanted to at least win a stage. In the end, it went much better than expected. It was a preparation race for Paris-Nice. I will be able to go there with ambition! », abounded Kevin Vauquelin, at the microphone of Eurosport. The Frenchman wipes out the previous record for the precocity of the race, held until then by the Belgian Philippe Gilbert, winner in 2005.
He was not in the south of France but in Andalusia. After having made a successful comeback by winning the semi-classic in Jaen, Tadej Pogacar won the Tour of Andalusia on Sunday February 19. The Slovenian reached the bar of 50 successes on Saturday, at only 24 years old. The double winner of the Tour de France flew over the debates by winning three of the five stages of the event. His team UAE Emirates reigned over the race by winning a fourth victory, thanks to Tim Wellens.
? 50th career victory for the gluttonous Pogacar! The Slovenian raises his arms at the finish of the 4th stage, his 3rd su… https://t.co/NNzI8H5cyi