The first stage of the Tour de l'Ain 2026 was decided by the winning sprint of Noah Hobbs. At the finish line in Bourg-en-Bresse, the destination of an inaugural 160.9-kilometer stage that started from Parc des Oiseaux, the twenty-two-year-old from EF Education-Easypost indeed surpassed with his speed Alberto Dainese (Soudal Quick-Step), Bohemond Barillot (France), Matteo Milan (Groupama-FDJ United) and Alessio Delle Vedove (XDS Astana), thus achieving the second victory of his professional career.

Winner in June at the Heylen Vastgoed Heistse Pijl, the young British rider with today's success also claimed the first leader's jersey of the race which, however, tomorrow in the Saint-Vulbas-Lagnieu stage of 161.9 kilometers characterized in the final by two passages over the Col de Portes, could very likely be forced to surrender it.

THE RACE

The stage, almost completely devoid of altitude difficulties, was characterized in the first phase by the escape of Patryk Goszczurny (Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development), Arthur Meyer (Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme), Maxime Jarnet (Van Rysel Roubaix), Maël Guégan (CIC Pro Cycling Academy) and Morné Van Niekerk (St Michel - Preference Home - Auber93) and then, once these were caught about fifty kilometers from the finish, by the counterattack attempt led by Kenny Molly (Van Rysel Roubaix), Victor Jean (Elite Fondations Cycling Team) and Maximilien Juillard (Vélo Club Villefranche Beaujolais).

Lost the first at 14 kilometers from the finish, the two French riders continued their action until the inevitable chase by the main group materialized at 2,400 meters from the line. At that point, as expected, the teams of the sprinters took center stage, fighting at the head of the peloton to best position their respective sprinters, preparing the ground for a sprint that ultimately favored Hobbs, who managed to precede Dainese, perhaps guilty of starting a bit too early, the twenty-two-year-old Barillot and the other two young Italian riders Milan and Delle Vedove.

In doing so, the native of Barnstaple (who officially joined the professional ranks at the beginning of this season) became the thirteenth youngest winner in the history of the short French stage race, an event where the Union Jack had not flown on the top step of a stage podium for three years.

FINISHING ORDER

1. Noah Hobbs (EF Education - EasyPost) 3:27:02

2. Alberto Dainese (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team) s.t.

3. Bohémond Barillot (France) s.t.

4. Matteo Milan (Groupama - FDJ United) s.t.

5. Alessio Delle Vedove (XDS Astana Team) s.t.

6. Louis Hardouin (Van Rysel Roubaix) s.t.

7. Jason Tesson (TotalEnergies) s.t.

8. Mathias Sanlaville (CIC Pro Cycling Academy) s.t.

9. Tord Gudmestad (Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme) s.t.

10. Rémi Lelandais (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Noah Hobbs (EF Education - EasyPost) 3:27:02

2. Alberto Dainese (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team) s.t.

3. Bohémond Barillot (France) s.t.

4. Matteo Milan (Groupama - FDJ United) s.t.

5. Alessio Delle Vedove (XDS Astana Team) s.t.

6. Louis Hardouin (Van Rysel Roubaix) s.t.

7. Jason Tesson (TotalEnergies) s.t.

8. Mathias Sanlaville (CIC Pro Cycling Academy) s.t.

9. Tord Gudmestad (Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme) s.t.

10. Rémi Lelandais (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) s.t.

OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS

Points classification: Noah Hobbs (EF Education - EasyPost)

Mountain classification: Baptiste Berger (Vélo Club Villefranche Beaujolais)

Best young rider classification: Noah Hobbs (EF Education - EasyPost)

Photo credit: Tour de l'Ain