Baudin wins big in Tour-Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes stage 1

 

For French rider Alex Baudin (EF Education Easypost) took the biggest win of his career on stage 1 of the renamed Criterium du Dauphine - now the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, with more than 120km in the day’s early breakaway and 28km solo. 

Baudin attacked from the breakaway in the final 25 kilometres on the Cote de Roussel to take the leader’s jersey. The EF Education First EasyPost rider had been part of a strong early move on nine and claimed the stage by 32 seconds ahead of Ramses Debruyne (Alpecin Premier Tech) and Leo Bisiaux (Decathlon).

The 25-year-old holds a 32 second lead in the GC heading into Monday’s second stage. 234km to Le Puy-en-Velay.

“I don’t think I believe it, I only thought at 500 metres that it was done. It’s just amazing to win here with my family here, just one hour from home. It’s just crazy. All the stars aligned for me today.”

-Alex Baudin