The third and final stage of the Tour de l’Ain, on Monday, finally brought out the same riders as the day before. In Ile Chambod, after 153 hilly kilometers but without a very hard climb, a reduced sprint decided the winner. Rémi Capron surprised his rivals while Rudy Molard finished just outside the podium, in fourth position. He also lost his spot on the overall podium as he took 5th.
Although the final stage of the Tour de l’Ain included eight classified climbs, the profile didn’t seem ideal for a long-range attack between Lagnieu and Île Chambod. From kilometre 26, a long circuit of about sixty kilometres actually had to be completed twice. The circuit’s main difficulty was the Col de Berthiand (4.8 km at 6.2%), also the day’s last climb, which preceded the finish line by ten kilometres. “There were several possible scenarios this morning,” explained Rudy Molard. “We tried to enter the breakaways at the beginning, but ultimately, a small group went out and then EF Education-EasyPost and Cofidis took control.” Only three men indeed took the lead, without being able to really make a gap over the bunch. Rémi Lelandais, Geoffrey Bouchard and Maxime Jarnet did not even have a two-minute lead at the start of the circuit’s second lap. The peloton got closer and closer, but first, a chasing duo made of Rémi Cavagna and Maximilien Juillard caught the leading men after the côte de Corveissiat. On the next climb, that of Matafelon, Juillard went on his own but was only forty seconds ahead of the peloton before heading towards the final climb.
“Rudy lost speed […] From then on, it was impossible to come back”, Yvon Caër
At the back, Groupama-FDJ still had all their riders, in particular their fast men Laurence Pithie and Sam Watson. “We tried to help Sam get over the climb, supported by Reuben and Laurence,” explained Yvon Caër. “Two kilometres before the top, we could still hope that it would come back together, but it eventually went super-fast towards the summit, and it didn’t.” Following an acceleration by Archie Ryan and Jefferson Cepeda, around fifteen men broke away. Rémy Rochas and Rudy Molard were among them, but as they approached the summit, the French climber was also forced to let go. “He came a bit short physically speaking, which can be explained by his long period of rest after he abandoned the Critérium du Dauphiné following his concussion,” added Yvon. “He was missing a little bit.” Ten riders eventually tackled the downhill together, and although a few accelerations took place, they never succeeded. After getting over a final bump, tension rose within the group for positioning. “I focused on Oldani for the sprint because I thought he was the fastest,” explained Rudy Molard. “He was in a perfect position at 600 metres,” Yvon certified. “But there was a slight descent before the uphill finish, Oldani didn’t want to open the sprint, Rudy lost speed and they came with full speed from behind. From then on, it was impossible to come back”.
“We will keep the positive”, Rudy Molard
After being overtaken by Rémi Capron and Nicolas Breuillard in particular, Rudy Molard then had to settle for fourth place on the line. “I’m quite disappointed because it’s a finish that suited me,” he regretted. “I didn’t think I would make a mistake by taking Oldani’s wheel, but it didn’t turn out to be the right option. I don’t often have the opportunity to fight for the win like that. I missed my chance, it’s a bit frustrating. It’s a shame because I also lost the overall podium.” Due to the bonus seconds taken by his rivals, the 34-year-old Frenchman dropped to fifth place on Monday. “These three days have been good nonetheless,” he insisted. “As a team, we really rode a great race, we were committed every day, always in good position and united. It was a lot of fun racing here, with a very good team. Unfortunately, we didn’t get rewarded, but other races are coming, and we will keep the positive from this Tour de l’Ain.” Yvon Caër was on the same page. “Obviously we’re disappointed, and we did not come here for a final 5th place”, he concluded. “Yet, I really keep in mind the will to do well and the cohesion. It didn’t pay off on day 1, we got beaten by a stronger man on day 2, and we haven’t had success tactically today, but the team’s mindset was perfect. We have to use it in the next races, and at some point, the wheel of fortune will turn.”
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