Cycling: With his first win of the season, Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) has also secured an overall win. The Frenchman won stage three and the overall classification of the Tour du Haut-Var ahead of compatriot Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) and Britain's Hugh Carthy (EF Education First). Kilian Frankiny (Groupama – FDJ) also played a large part in this success. The Swiss did a great job as a noble assistant for his new captain. He himself finished the stage and the overall standings in sixth place.
Sep Vanmarcke & Giulio Ciccone celebrate stage wins
The traditional Tour du Haut-Var once again lived up to its reputation as a very selective race. The former one-day race was held over three days for the first time this season. The field of favorites continued to thin out day by day. While 14 professionals finished the first stage from Vence to Mandelieu-la-Napoule at the same time, after the second stage from Le Cannet-des-Maures to Mons only seven drivers were measured with the same time in the overall ranking. Although the stage wins in the first two days went to the Belgian Sep Vanmarcke (EF Education First) and to the Italian Julius Ciccone (Trek – Segafredo), the French dominated the overall standings before the decisive third stage – at least numerically. Giulio Ciccone led the classification ahead of five French and one Brit at the same time: Julien El Fares (Delko – Marseille Provence), Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ), Alexis Vuillermoz (AG2R La Mondiale), Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale), Nicholas Edett (Cofidis) and Hugh Carthy (EF Education First)
Thibaut Pinot wins the final stage and the Tour
As expected, the decision in the overall ranking of the Tour du Haut-Var was only made on the last section. On Sunday, the pros were piloted over 136 kilometers from La Londe-les-Maures to Mont Faron. After the six escapees had been caught, it was up the final climb for overall and stage victory. The mountain with a view of the city of Toulon is known, among other things, from the Tour of the Mediterranean, where it is jointly responsible for the outcome of the race year after year. And today too, Mont Faron was the executioner. Already 3,5 kilometers before the finish could namely Julien El Fares and leaders Julius Ciccone no longer follow. On the last 1.000 Meters then tried Hugh Carthy to break through the dominance of the French. But his attack was also parried. In an open exchange of blows for the stage victory, it was finally possible Thibaut Pinot in front of his compatriot Romain Bardet and enforce that same Hugh Carthy. So these three also form the podium of the tour in exactly this order. The Swiss also drove a strong sixth place today Kilian Frankiny (Groupama – FDJ) a. Despite helping out captain Thibaut Pinot, he also finished sixth overall.
What is the Tour du Haut-Var?
The Tour du Haut-Var traditionally takes place in February in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It was first held in 1969. First as a one-day race, since 2009 as a two-day race and this season even as a three-day race, the tour attracts attention, especially in France. Many well-known drivers have already been able to be entered in the list of winners. Including the French Raymond Poulidor, Bernard Thévenet, Laurent Brochard, Laurent Jalabert, Sylvain Chavanel and Thomas Voeckler. But international stars can also claim numerous victories. Among other things, the Tour du Haut-Var won at least once Joop Zoetemelk, Seán Kelly, Davide Rebellin, Daniele Nardello, Philippe Gilbert, Filippo Pozzato, and Carlos Betancur and the German Rolf Goelz. The record winners are Dutchman Joop Zoetemelk, who won the Tour du Haut-Var three times as a one-day race, and the Frenchman Arthur Vichot, who was able to finish the two-day race victorious three times.
#TourduSkinVar 🇫🇷 / Victoire de Thibaut Pinot (GFC), juste devant Romain Bardet (A2R) ! pic.twitter.com/ASFkDyfjck
— Renaud Breban (@RenaudB31) February 24rd 2019