But what was the native of Brioude, in Haute-Loire, thinking when he attacked the San Leo hill, more than 50 kilometers from the finish, in the fifth of the day’s seven difficulties? Did he think he was in the shoes of Tadej Pogačar, used to long-range offensives? No, Romain Bardet just wanted to have fun. As if he were freed from a weight after announcing last week that he would end his professional career next year and that, this summer, he would compete in his eleventh and final Tour de France without any desire to compete for the general classification.
With the devoted support of his Dutch teammate Frank van den Broek (DSM-Firmenich PostNL), the Frenchman will resist the return of the peloton in the long final straight, on the seafront of Rimini, to win with a five-second lead. Enough for the Auvergnat, face bathed in happiness, to have time to celebrate his victory by raising his arms and thanking with a gesture of gratitude the sacrifice of Van den Broek, who offered him this unforgettable moment.
At 33, Romain Bardet has won his fourth stage of the Grande Boucle and has had a makeover, after Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne in 2015, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in 2016 and Peyragudes in 2017. Twice on the final podium, once in the polka dot jersey in 2019, he has donned the leader’s jersey at a time when, by his own admission, he had ” mourns ” All smiles, without exuberance, faithful to his reserved character, he tells in front of the microphones: ” I am finally myself “, or, “ I was in a different state of mind from previous editions, more relaxed. ».
If France is celebrating at the start of this ordeal, Italy enthusiastically welcomes this historic “ Great Departure “. In Florence yesterday, the splendid Renaissance city, usually crowded with tourists, was full of… cycle tourists. The Florentine coat of arms had disappeared under a cloud of flags in the colors of the Tour hung along the parade carried out by the 176 riders in “ the most beautiful city in the world ”, as the locals say.
Today’s stage is conducive to slashing attacks
Under oppressive heat, enthusiasts rushed to the buses, parked near the starting line, to catch a glimpse of the champions. The public is dense in front of the vehicles of the favorites: the Slovenian Tadej Pogačar, his compatriot Primož Roglič, the Dane Jonas Vingegaard and the Belgian Remco Evenepoel. As soon as one of the – rare – Italian competitors entered in the event goes to the presentation podium, there is excitement. The organization is quickly overwhelmed, barriers are pushed aside and the crowd becomes even more compact, in a joyfully noisy atmosphere that those who master the language of Dante will describe as follows: “ What a mess! » Which could be translated as « What a mess ! »
The rest after this ad
I am finally myself
Romain Bardet
The 206 kilometers of this inaugural stage, through the romantic and hilly landscapes of Tuscany, then Emilia-Romagna, pass through towns and villages which are all adorned with yellow. Balloons hanging from the gates of houses, pennants hanging above the streets, sheets hung on balconies, everything recalls the leader’s tunic. But since Italy is above all the Giro and its “maglia rosa”, some teasing spectators add touches of pink. On the road there are tributes to the “pirata” Marco Pantani, who remained an idol for many fans, he who experienced the light of success and the shadow of doping. The arrival in the seaside resort of Rimini, where he died of an overdose in a soulless hotel twenty years ago, is another tribute.
After the starting stage and its more than 3,500 meters of positive altitude difference, the peloton will experience a slightly less complicated Sunday route, marked by the double ascent of the terrible San Luca hill, on the heights of Bologna. If Romain Bardet saves his yellow jersey, then he can hope to keep it until entering France on Tuesday, the 3rd stage (Monday) not presenting any major difficulties. In the meantime, “avanti”! This Tour is off to a good start.
