Davide Piganzoli confirms he has entered a new dimension: the Valtellina rider from Visma Lease a Bike has pulled off a fine solo feat in the third and final stage of La Route d'Occitanie - CIC, the Loures-Barousse - Loudenvielle of 172 km. Piganzoli attacked on the Val Louron climb, immediately creating a gap and then intelligently managing his strength and advantage.

Piganzoli thus doubles the number of victories in his career: he had indeed won a stage and the final classification of the Tour of Antalya in 2024.

Davide also confirms he has a special connection with the Route d'Occitanie: last year, when he was riding for Polti VisitMalta, he finished 2nd in the general classification, cresting the Tourmalet first in the queen stage (but was then caught and overtaken by winner Prodhomme of Decathlon). He returned this year and hit the target perfectly.

THE RACE. A fast start with numerous attack attempts until a group of 8 riders formed, composed of Donnenwirth (Groupama FDJ United), Jousseaume (TotalEnergies), Vidal and Efriem (Bike Aid), Delacroix (St Michel Preference Home), Tendon (Van Rysel Roubaix), Huys and Guichard (Nice Metropole Cote d'Azur). Their action continued for about a hundred kilometers, then on the Horquette d'Ancizan the big names in the group imposed their pace and a selection began from behind.

It was particularly Visma Lease a Bike that set the rhythm to launch Davide Piganzoli's offensive, who attacked 37 kilometers from the finish on the Val Louron climb to win the stage and the final classification.

STAGE RESULTS

1. Piganzoli Davide (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) in 04:22:22
2. Ruiz Ibon (Equipo Kern Pharma) + 01:43
3. Izagirre Ion (Cofidis)
4. Mariault Axel (CIC Pro Cycling Academy) + 02:05
5. Fagundez Eric (Burgos Burpellet BH)
6. Delbove Joris (Team TotalEnergies)
7. Meehan Jamie (Cofidis)
8. Nerurkar Lukas (EF Education-EasyPost)
9. Berrade Urko (Equipo Kern Pharma)
10. Murguialday Jokin (Euskaltel-Euskadi)

FINAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Piganzoli Davide (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) in 13:10:02
2. Ruiz Ibon (Equipo Kern Pharma) + 01:51
3. Izagirre Ion (Cofidis) + 01:52
4. Meehan Jamie (Cofidis) + 02:14
5. Fagundez Eric (Burgos Burpellet BH) + 02:20
6. Delbove Joris (Team TotalEnergies)
7. Mariault Axel (CIC Pro Cycling Academy)
8. Berrade Urko (Equipo Kern Pharma)
9. Murguialday Jokin (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
10. Graat Tijmen (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)