Viviani wins as crosswinds wreak havoc in Provence

Elia Viviani and INEOS Grenadiers conquered the wind with some aggressive racing to emerge with consecutive stage wins at the Tour de La Provence after Filippo Ganna’s opening day prologue victory.

Elia Viviani of INEOS Grenadiers wins Stage 1 of Tour de La Provence. Source: Getty Images

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Twenty-seven riders eventually emerged in a multi-team attack from Ineos Grenadiers, QuickStep Alpha Vinyl and Arkea-Samsic with 80km to race. They used the strong wind and aggressive riding to open out a two-minute gap to the chasing bunch, which held to the finish.

Maciej Bodnar (TotalEnergies) made an attack from the front group in the final eight kilometres but Filippo Ganna was alert and covered the move, before the final run to the line where Luke Rowe set-up Viviani perfectly for the sprint.

The Italian sprinter made short work of the final dash to the line as the only recognised fast man left in the group, extended his lead out to several bike lengths by the finish line, with Sep Vanmarcke (Israel PremierTech) and Julian Alaphilippe (QuickStep Alpha Vinyl) completing the podium.

“I’m happy to win again but it’s not so much about the new team,” said Viviani when asked about his return to winning ways after his off-season move to INEOS Grenadiers. “I ended last season with Cofidis really well and that’s important to approach the new season.

“Of course, I’m really happy to be back at Ineos. It’s really important for a sprinter to win at the start of the season,” Viviani explained.

“We knew I had good form at Valenciana, I was 2nd, 3rd and 4th, so the big goal in Provence was to win the first race of the season. Now it’s done, so now we keep going.”

Viviani described the difficulties out on the road that saw a number of major contenders for the overall have their chances of winning substantially reduced, as Australian Michael Storer (Groupama-FDJ) and defending champion Ivan Sosa (Movistar) both finished well off the stage winner.

“It was not an easy, flat stage because of the wind. We moved really well and we have really experienced guys for the classics like Luke Rowe, so when we saw that there were four up front, including Richie (Carapaz) for the GC, that was good,” said Viviani. “Then we just kept pushing. We were happy that there weren’t any other sprinters.

“The guys did an amazing job. Ganna closed down Bodnar when he attacked in the final kilometres and then Luke Rowe did a perfect lead-out for me. I have to thank all the team today." 

Watch the Tour de La Provence LIVE on SBS On Demand nightly, with replays and highlights available the next day for catch-up.