Cycling – Tour de l’Ain: Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) won the 2022 edition

A moment of latency. Guillaume Martin was not jubilant as soon as he crossed the finish line, this Thursday at Lélex Monts-Jura. He did his calculations, while talking into his headset, before making sure he had won the Tour de l’Ain. No bad surprise for the leader of Cofidis, who had to watch Antonio Pedrero, George Bennett or another Mattias Skjelmose Jensen, three stages from the race, and who ended up managing it successfully, well supported by his team.

Game of bonuses, great breakaway from Pedrero, formidable punch from Skjelmose Jensen (his runner-up, 6″)… the equation was spicy, for Guillaume Martin. But the Spaniard from Movistar, winner of the 3rd stage, did not did not take back the 2 minutes he needed to make a double blow. Bennett only nibbled part of his 54 seconds delay (25), and the 21-year-old Dane did not unclamp the fine French tactician. Result , the account is good.

Very strong Pedroro, too short Alaphilippe

Antonio Pedrero still put in an impressive performance, covering 55 of the 131 km on the menu solo. The last rider to have resisted him is Julian Alaphilippe, but the reigning double world champion, out of competition after his serious fall during Liège-Bastogne-Liège and a recovery disrupted by the Covid-19, did not have the legs to follow him (28th). However, he made valuable efforts, a few days before the Vuelta (August 19-September 11).

Guillaume Martin relied on a good Rémy Rochas, before completing his coronation with the strength of his calves and his thighs, in a rising but “rolling” finish. It was on Wednesday, by winning alone, that he made the difference. He won his ninth professional success by crossing the line in seventh position, 1’39 “after Pedrero. The rest for him: La Polynormande. A one-day race. So much the better, to release the reins, level “maths “.