Filippo Ganna took his first win of the season in the last stage of Etoile de Besseges, a tricky 11km time trial.
The Italian of Ineos Grenadiers clocked a time of 15’32” setting the bar high for the competition. Bauke Mollema was one of the first to get close to Ganna but the Dutchman from Trek-Segafredo was 11 seconds short. His teammate Mads Pedersen did even better, with a time of 15’39”. The Dane, who won the opening stage, settled in second position.
“It wasn’t nice for me with my weight because it was steep, but we’ll keep this result and think to improve for the next races,” Ganna said. “Every race is important, and today was important to give morale for myself and the team.”
The tension was high at the top, with general classification leader Benjamin Thomas defending a 7 second lead over Alberto Bettiol and an 8 second lead over Tobias Johannessen.
Thomas put a time of 15’42” and was the fastest of the general classification riders; enough for the overall victory for the Cofidis rider.
Le coureur de Cofidis @Ben__Thomas_ remporte l'édition 2022 de l'étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard après une énorme troisième place sur le contre-la-montre final ! Bettiol et Johannessen terminent 2e et 3e. #CaVaFrotter #EDB2022 #lequipeVELO pic.twitter.com/e4rEAYeejz
— la chaine L'Équipe (@lachainelequipe) February 6, 2022
