Ewen Costiou takes it all!
# Ewen Costiou Shines in Season Opener, Secures Double Victory
This Sunday marked a remarkable start to the 2026 cycling season for the Groupama-FDJ United team, as 23-year-old Ewen Costiou clinched both the time trial and overall victory at the Étoile de Bessèges. The young Breton’s stunning performance saw him dominate the closing time trial around Alès, ensuring a memorable finish for the team alongside teammate Maxime Decomble, who secured third place on the podium.
As the race progressed into its final act, just 10 kilometers separated the contenders from glory. Before the decisive time trial began at 3:30 p.m., Costiou and Decomble found themselves behind overall leader Kubis by 20 and 27 seconds, respectively. Team leader Benoît Vaugrenard expressed confidence in their preparation, noting, “We certainly were a bit behind Kubis, and also Lapeira, but we were really confident with the physical condition of our leaders.” He added, “Since things didn’t explode as much as we hoped on the Bessèges stage, it all came down to this time trial for us.”
The team wasn’t daunted by the rain that began to fall during the time trial. Coach David Han emphasized the course’s suitability for their strengths, stating, “Objectively speaking, it was a course that suited our two leaders well, and they also aren’t afraid of the rain.”
As the race commenced, Victor Loulergue set the pace with the second-best provisional time before the battle for overall victory began in earnest. “The plan was to have a good start but not overcommit, and then gradually increase the pace during the time trial,” David explained. That strategy paid off, as both Costiou and Decomble showcased their strength on the demanding climb of Ermitage.
After a competitive time trial, Maxime Decomble initially claimed the “hot seat” with a time of 15:02, but Costiou swiftly surpassed him with a stunning finish of 14:57. With the top two positions held by Groupama-FDJ United, Costiou was poised for victory. Ultimately, his competitor Lukas Kubis finished with a significant delay, sealing Costiou’s overall triumph.
Ewen Costiou expressed his joy, stating, “It’s amazing! The plan worked perfectly… I felt great this morning, just like all week, and I put in a great time trial. I’m happy.”
Benoît Vaugrenard highlighted the significance of their victories, noting that amidst stiff competition, they brought invaluable morale to the team. “Victories are hard to achieve today… Winning two races straight away really boosts the team’s morale,” he concluded.
This double victory not only establishes Costiou as a rising star within Groupama-FDJ United but also underscores the collective effort of the team. With Maxime Decomble taking home the white jersey for best young rider, the future looks bright for this promising duo.
