The hilly course around Vernier had no influence on the general classification of the Tour de Romandie on Sunday. The Spaniard Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) retained his 7 seconds lead over the Russian Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora), the only rider over 23 years old in the final top 5. The last stage was easily won in a sprint by the Frenchman Dorian Godon (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), already winner of the first.
“Cycling is a story of spiraling, of confidence,” smiled the Lyonnais after the finish. Even the last left turn in the finale, where his former teammate Clément Venturini (Arkéa-B & B Hotels, ultimately 7th) tried to attack by gaining speed, did not disturb him. “I was patient,” continued Godon, an easy winner ahead of Simone Consonni (Lidl-Trek) and Dion Smith (Intermarché-Wanty). I trusted Clément (Berthet) and Nicolas (Prodhomme). I didn’t panic, I had the strength and I threw 300 meters. You had to go there with momentum, not look behind, and that’s it. »
A very good spiral for a year
And this is how the sprinter-puncher from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale won his first two World Tour victories this week (10 on the clock now), at 27 years old, confirming his team’s very good start to the season (see figure) and its very good spiral for twelve months and the victory at the Flèche Brabançonne in 2023.
12
This is the 12th victory for Décathon-AG2R La Mondiale this season (including 4 in the World Tour), the sixth most successful team in 2024.
In the final general classification, the last stage brought no change despite the rain and the small final ramps. Barely attacked, Carlos Rodriguez won his first stage race ahead of the duo of Bora-Hansgrohe Vlasov and Florian Lipowitz. The only Frenchman in the top 10, Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ) finished 8th at 52 seconds.
