Christian Scaroni returns to make his mark on French roads, with a beautiful victory in the first stage of the Tour des Alpes Maritimes where he beat Santiago Buitrago in a two-man sprint. Just yesterday, the rider from Brescia of XSD Astana Team had celebrated his success in the Classic Var, which also earned him a mustache trim to settle a bet.

At the Gourdon finish line, Lorenzo Fortunato also put in a good performance, finishing fourth at 47".

THE RACE – The Tour des Alpes Maritimes, reduced to just two racing days, was inaugurated by the Contes – Gourdon stage, a 162.4 km route with several altimetric challenges including the double final climb of 18 km towards Gourdon and the passage under the finish line about 26 km from the arrival.

Most of the day was characterized by a breakaway of 6 athletes who were always kept under control by the EF Education Easy Post of Richard Carapaz, more determined than ever to make his mark on the stage. The breakaway group consisted of Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto), Edoardo Zamperini (Akrea B&B Hotels Continental), Sergio Meris (Unibet Tietema Rockets), Morne Van Niekerk (St. Michel- Preference Horne- Auber 93), Kenny Molly (Van Rysel Roubaix), and Matteo Vercher (Team Total Energie), the latter falling midway through the stage but promptly restarting. The attackers' attempt ended 35 km from the finish line.

The race came alive with the first attack by Andrea Vendrame about 20 km from the finish line. The Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale wind remained alone at the front for about ten kilometers before being caught by the EF Education Easy Post. The decisive attack, however, was launched by Santiago Buitrago (Bahrein Victorious) who, with an acceleration in the last 7 kilometers of climbing, made an incredible selection, bringing along his teammate Lenny Martinez and Christian Scaroni.

Despite being numerically inferior, the Brescia rider from Astana Team perfectly managed the situation, launching his sprint 250 m from the finish line and beating Buitrago. Third place went to Martinez, arriving 4" behind. Fourth position for Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team), first of the group.

With today's victory, Scaroni takes the leader's jersey with 4" over Buitrago. Tomorrow he will have to try to defend the leadership symbol in the second and final stage of the Tour des Alpes Maritimes from Villegfranch sur Mer to Vence.

FINISH ORDER

1 Scaroni Cristian XDS Astana Team 04:19:45

2 Buitrago Santiago Bahrain Victorious + 00

3 Martinez Lenny Bahrain Victorious + 04

4 Fortunato Lorenzo XDS Astana Team + 47

5 Widar Jarno Lotto + 47

6 Martin-Guyonnet Guillaume Groupama-FDJ + 48

7 Paret-Peintre Aurélien Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team + 52

8 Blackmore Joe Israel-Premier Tech + 54

9 Costiou Ewen ARKEA-B&B HOTELS + 54

10 Carapaz Richard EF Education-EasyPost + 59

11 Barré Louis Intermarchè-Wanty + 01:06

12 Joalland Yaël CIC U Nantes + 01:13

13 Cepeda Alexander EF Education-EasyPost + 01:14

14 Champoussin Clément XDS Astana Team + 01:22

15 Sheehan Riley Israel-Premier Tech + 01:23

16 Godon Dorian Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team + 01:23

17 Haig Jack Bahrain Victorious + 01:23

18 Conci Nicola XDS Astana Team + 01:23

19 Maire Adrien Unibet Tietema Rockets + 01:46

20 Verschuren Killian Unibet Tietema Rockets + 02:29

21 Gualdi Simone Intermarchè-Wanty + 02:29

22 Tjøtta Martin ARKEA-B&B HOTELS + 02:29

23 Jegat Jordan Team TotalEnergies + 02:29

24 Geniets Kevin Groupama-FDJ + 03:27

25 Zambanini Edoardo Bahrain Victorious + 03:27