Bastien Tronchon kicks off with a podium finish!

# Bastien Tronchon Shines with Impressive Second Place at Vuelta a Andalucia Opening Stage

Bastien Tronchon has made an impactful entrance into the cycling scene with Groupama-FDJ, securing a podium finish in the opening stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia. Just days after experiencing a crash at the Clásica de Almería, the French rider showcased his resilience and skill by clinching second place in a thrilling sprint finish, narrowly behind Christophe Laporte.

The initial stage posed a formidable challenge, featuring nearly 2,700 metres of elevation throughout the 150-kilometre route from Benahavís to Pizarra. The steep climbs were predominantly concentrated in the first half of the stage, foreshadowing an aggressive racing atmosphere right from the start. “Campenaerts went right from the gun, and we quickly realised that Visma-Lease a Bike wanted to make the race really hard,” noted teammate William Green. He described how the rapid pace led to many riders being dropped early on, including Paul, but Maxime’s selfless efforts helped bring him back to the group.

As the race unfolded, a breakaway group of about fifteen riders formed, collaborating with a seven-man morning break with seventy kilometres remaining. “We were fortunate to have Clément [Braz Afonso] in there, but it also meant the end of Paul’s chances,” William said, indicating the challenges the team faced.

Despite the setbacks, Tronchon remained optimistic, saying, “I really believed in it for a long time.” The team’s strategy shifted once Paul was out of the front group, paving the way for Tronchon to focus on the sprint. As the peloton reassembled with thirty-five kilometres to go, the race dynamic shifted towards a promising bunch finish.

In the final stretches, Tronchon worked closely with Clément Russo, who initially set up for the sprint. “It was also the first final they’ve ridden together,” William explained, illustrating the learning curve as the team adapted to racing dynamics. Unfortunately, a moment of miscommunication led to them losing each other in the final kilometre.

Launching his sprint alone on the left side, Tronchon battled with Laporte. “I really believed in it for a long time,” he reflected. “Maybe I opened up a bit too early, but I’d rather go too early than get boxed in. In the end, Christophe was just stronger.”

While the second-place finish is a commendable result, Tronchon expressed a hint of disappointment, emphasizing the team’s ambition: “It’s a slightly bittersweet second place because we said again this morning on the bus that we’re not here just to make up the numbers — we’re here to win.”

William concluded with optimism, stating, “We’re obviously satisfied with second place, but at the same time Bastien clearly had what it took to win today. It’s a great way to start the week. The team is strong, we’ve got four more opportunities and cards to play on every stage.”

With this strong start, the team looks forward to maximizing their potential in the upcoming stages of the Vuelta a Andalucia.