History does not say whether Frederick Geston would have liked a Frenchman after him at the Paris-Rupex last weekend, but Grubama-FDJ’s sports director finally saw the end of the famine on the Barouss-Tours. Extraordinarily happy, his rider won the group with four people stronger than Arnot Tamare, Frank Ponnamore (P&B Hotels), Jasper Steuen (Trek-Sekafredo) and Stan Dolph (AG2R-Citroen). This is Tamar’s ninth victory in 2021, but the first victory in such an important race. He may not say so but it is no exaggeration to say that this victory saves him from the disappointing demise of the 2021 tour and then the Volda.

As promised to sprinters, Paris-Tours has been hard hit in recent years by the addition of famous vineyards. Philip Gilbert in particular was criticized for their looks, they are now the last great classic glamor of the season. Arkia-Samsik or AG2R-Citroen took a long time to see decisive movements even when trying to shake a pilot that was shrinking over kilometers. So for the longest time the first uprising occurred from a distance of 24 km. Thanks for the Stan Devalp attack this Sunday.

The stage begins

Appointed by AG2R-Citroën at the end of 2020, Belgium confirmed that he was a great choice for the Savoy team. Supported by Frank Ponnamore and Frederick Friesen (Lotto-Soudal), his attack featured a group of three. The first two were still in the final straight line but not the last of a dangerous drill in the last vineyard path. Dewulf and Bonnamour, the manifesto of the Super Battle and the last Tour de France, could not see the return of the two former winners of Milan-Sanremo until the last kilometer.

Without Stephen Kong, the victim of a puncture, and after the immense work of Valentine Madovas, Arnad Tamare assumed his responsibilities from a distance of 11 kilometers at the last small bump. His power destroyed all of his enemies except Stuen. The winners at San Remo in 2016 and 2021 then combined their efforts to join the leading pair. It took a lot because the lead pair was strong. But even the uncertainty of the four-way finish did not bother Tamar, who won his sprint 275m. His wet eyes on stage betrayed a certain emotion. This win should keep him warm this winter because he finished a disappointing 2021.