Bryan Coquard (Vital Concept-B&B Hotels) won the opening stage of Etoile de Bessèges over Sacha Modolo (EF Education First) and Pierre Barbier (Natura4Ever).
“It was cat and mouse between sprinters’ teams as often happens early in the season. The team deposited me well, we were in the front of the pack and did a nice sprint. I am satisfied with my condition,” Coquard said.
Coquard leads the race overall by four seconds on Modolo, with Barbier third at six seconds. Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) claimed the sprint bonus and is fourth at seven seconds.
VICTOIRE ! ??
Première course de la saison pour @bryancoquard.
Première victoire de la saison pour @bryancoquard.#EtoileDeBesseges l #ThereIsNoTry pic.twitter.com/Y8sw9r7M4N— B&B HOTELS – VITAL CONCEPT P/B KTM (@BBHotels_VC) February 7, 2019
Etoile de Bessèges 2019 – stage 1 results (Bellegarde – Beaucaire):
| 1 | Bryan Coquard (Vital Concept-B&B Hotels) | 3:16:42 |
| 2 | Sacha Modolo (EF Education First) | ,, |
| 3 | Pierre Barbier (Natura4Ever-Roubaix-Lille Metropole) | ,, |
| 4 | Marc Sarreau (Groupama-FDJ) | ,, |
| 5 | Christophe Laporte (Cofidis) | ,, |
| 6 | Tom Van Asbroeck (Israel Cycling Academy) | ,, |
| 7 | Kenny Dehaes (Wallonie Bruxelles) | ,, |
| 8 | Roy Jans (Corendon-Circus) | ,, |
| 9 | Clement Venturini (AG2R La Mondiale) | ,, |
| 10 | Amaury Capiot (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) | ,, |
