A strong collective start in Provence
# Resilient Start for Groupama-FDJ United at Tour de la Provence
The Groupama-FDJ United cycling team tackled the demanding opening stage of the Tour de la Provence this past Friday with impressive cohesion, despite challenging weather conditions that tested the peloton’s resilience. A heavy downpour accompanied the riders on their route from Marseille to Saint-Victoret, ultimately helping a breakaway team outpace the bunch during a tumultuous stage.
Finishing just two seconds behind stage winner Arnaud Tendon, riders Lorenzo Germani (6th), Blake Agnoletto (8th), and Victor Loulergue (9th) achieved top-10 finishes, underscoring their strong positioning throughout the race. Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet also completed the stage comfortably within the main group, setting the stage for the pivotal Montagne de Lure stage ahead.
“It was a potentially tricky stage, but the Groupama-FDJ United cycling team came through it safely,” noted sports director Tanguy Turgis. “We didn’t really know what to expect at the start,” he continued. The team had aimed for a defensive strategy, advising Victor and Lorenzo to track early moves while keeping the rest of the squad close to their climber, Martin-Guyonnet.
Early in the race, a four-man breakaway emerged from the Col de la Gineste, prompting the entire Groupama-FDJ squad to regroup around Martin-Guyonnet. The team featured a blend of seasoned and young riders, including neo-pro Titouan Fontaine and four talents from the development team, known as “La Conti”: Blake Agnoletto, Victor Loulergue, Rémi Daumas, and Esteban Foucher.
“They rode really well as a team,” remarked Turgis, praising their performance. The young riders adeptly navigated key sections of the course, maintaining focus and cohesion as they approached the technical challenges.
“We had to stay alert and together when we reached the hilly section midway through the race… The guys were well positioned and did a great job,” Turgis explained. Their strong organization allowed them to navigate the challenging final kilometers effectively. “With ten kilometers to go, there was a technical section through town and a tunnel where positioning was crucial,” he added.
As they entered the closing five kilometers, the peloton fractured behind a two-man breakaway. “The key point of the sprint was at 800 meters,” Turgis noted. “By pushing hard, the boys secured good positioning, and that’s how we managed to finish sixth, eighth, and ninth—it was all about positioning.”
Taking the lead on the final stretch, Germani crossed the line first among his teammates, followed by Agnoletto and Loulergue, the latter also seizing the best young rider’s jersey. Turgis concluded, “The priority was to bring Guillaume home safely, and that mission was accomplished… It was quite enjoyable to watch.” The day’s performance not only highlighted the team’s skills but also set a promising tone for the upcoming stages in the race.
