This edition of the Tour de l’Ain was certainly eventful: three days of racing, three stage winners, and three different Solimut Mutuelle de France jerseys. Cian Uijtdebroeks secured his stage and overall victory on the Col du Grand Colombier at the expense of Nicolas Prodhomme.
Despite 3,211 meters of elevation gain over 130.4 kilometers in intense heat, the riders didn’t wait for the first difficulties to show their stuff. From the second kilometer, the yellow jersey Solimut Mutuelle de France, Nicolas Prodhomme (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), slipped into an early breakaway. Others, notably Théo Delacroix (St Michel Preference Home Auber93) and Fabien Doubey (TotalEnergies), joined the breakaway as the kilometers passed.
At the halfway point, Nicolas Prodhomme was still at the front, this time accompanied by Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma/Lease a bike). The 22-year-old Belgian’s teammates, Jorgen Nordhagen and Ben Tulett, set the pace to accompany him and test the leader. Sylvain Moniquet (Cofidis) and Louis Rouland (Arkea-B&B Hotels), who were in this group, dropped back.
After two days of competition, Nicolas Prodhomme and Cian Uijtdebroeks face off for one last showdown. This time, as he had announced, the longer duration of the effort suited him better than the previous day’s, and the winner of the 2022 Tour de l’Avenir accelerated on the demanding Col du Grand Colombier (15 km at 7.8%), which he had climbed as a cadet and junior. It proved decisive ten kilometers from the summit. His French rival was unable to keep up. With 18 kilometers to go to Belley, the gap had increased to two minutes. With 10 kilometers to go, a group of four pursuers, including Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies), was five minutes behind. After 18 months of uncertainty, Cian Uijtdebroeks claimed his first professional victory in the high mountains with a 3min05s lead. “I came up against someone stronger, it all came down to pedaling,” admitted Nicolas Prodhomme, who consoled himself with second place (3 minutes and 3 seconds behind) and the Crédit Mutuel green jersey, the only one not taken by the winner, as well as the team classification. Ben Tulett completed the podium for the stage (ahead of Jordan Jegat) and the final thanks to the way the places played out. Louis Rouland snatched fourth place from Sylvain Moniquet (Cofidis) by 6 minutes and 24 seconds.
The statement
Cian Uijtdebroeks: “It’s incredible! I’ve been struggling with health issues for a year and a half, but I’ve always believed in myself. I’m very happy to be back. I didn’t think I could win so soon, I’d never won in my life as a pro. For me, winning at Grand Colombier is a big deal. It happened to me before at the Tour de l’Ain U17. It’s wonderful to do it in the Ain.”
Bernard Hinault’s analysis
“We have nothing to be ashamed of. We saw a great race and a great champion who is regaining his form after a year and a half of difficulties. Even Nicolas Prodhomme had a superb race. He just came up against someone stronger than him. There are some great revelations and some truly exceptional things happening. Only time will tell.”
Anecdote
The A-Vélo organizations (formerly Alpes Vélo) are proving successful for Cian Uijtdebroeks. The Tour de l’Ain joins the Tour de l’Avenir 2022 in his list of achievements. He also distinguished himself in the Tour de l’Ain U17.
