2022 Royal Bernard Drôme Classic (1.Pro), France

10th edition: Sunday, February 27, 2022
Complete results

La Drôme Classic podium history | 2023 edition | Course map & profile | Photos | Start list

Etoile sur Rhone - Etoile sur Rhone, 191.5 km

Jonas Vingegaard gets the win in Etoile-sur-Rhone. Sirotti photo

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Weather at the start/finish city of Etoile sur Rhone at 1:45 PM, local time: 12C (55F), sunny, with the wnd from the south at 6 km/hr (4mph). No rain is forecast.

The race: Here's the report from winner Jonas Vingegaard's Jumbo-Visma team.

Jonas Vingegaard has won the Drôme Classic in an impressive manner. The 25-year old Dane attacked on the Col de la Grande Limite and slowly but surely left his opponents behind. It was Vingegaard’s first victory of the season and the third for Team Jumbo-Visma.

After a fast start, six riders tried their luck in the hilly surroundings. They got a maximum lead of five minutes. The peloton increased the pace towards the longer climbs in the race's second half. After an attack by Vingegaard, seven riders separated from the peloton. In this large group there was little cooperation, and attacks of Primoz Roglic, Sam Oomen and Sepp Kuss were countered. On the Côte de Roberts, Vingegaard and Ayuso shook off all other escapees and rode to the finish in Étoile-sur-Rhône. Vingegaard proved to be stronger on the last climb and arrived solo after 191 kilometres.

Vingegaard was happy that his good feeling resulted in a victory. “That’s a relief after yesterday, which wasn’t my best day, but today I felt good. There are no high mountains in this area, but it goes up and down all day which makes it tough. I enjoy myself in these races. Things could still be better, but today gives me confidence. It is always important to have a good start to the season. I’m happy with the way I won today.”