Tour de France. It is Kévin Vauquelin, a cyclist trained in Caen who wins the second stage

After an already hilly first stage between Florence and Rimini, the Tour de France peloton continued its journey in Italy this Sunday, June 30, 2024, on a still very hilly route, linking Cesenatico to Bologna. Main difficulty of the day: the San Luca hill to be crossed twice.

Former resident of the Pôle Espoir de Caen

We were expecting the punchers Van Aert or Van der Poel. We were hoping for a first explanation between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, the two favorites of this Grande Boucle, but, after Romain Bardet, it is Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B) who comes to sign a second French stage victory.

The native of Bayeux and the former resident of the Pôle Espoir de Caen was left from the 18th kilometer with ten other riders before launching his attack twelve kilometers from the line.

“I managed to seize the opportunity”

What’s going on in your head? “I think I don’t realize it yet, but it’s crazy, I managed to seize the opportunity,” he declared on the microphone of France 2 right after the race.

Of course it’s the best, I’ve had so many disappointments in recent months: not being good in training, struggling in the Tour de Suisse, missing the French championships whether in the time trial or the road race. I was looking for revenge, I said: “One day the wheel will turn” and it happened quickly in the end.

It was at the summit of San Luca, at the very end of the second climb, that he left Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X) behind. “Yes, I believed it!” I knew it was going to be long because Abrahamsen is a good rider, Oliveira as well, but I felt in the front bump that I was really good, on the verge of attacking. but it was much too far. I knew how to seize opportunities, be a little smart, and I knew the finish. I’ve raced here before and knew the bump by heart. »

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