After securing his first victory at the Tour de Pologne, Louis Barré (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) wins again at the Deutschland Tour, beating Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) and Giulio Ciccone (Lidl - Trek) at the end of the 215 kilometres scheduled for the first road stage, which concluded in Schwäbisch Hall. The French cyclist can celebrate not only today's victory but also the leader's jersey, which he "snatches" from Del Toro's shoulders, now second in the general classification with a deficit of 9".

THE STAGE - At the second kilometre of the race, five riders escaped: Alexandre Kess (Team Lotto Kern-Haus), Lennart Voege (Team Storck - MRW Bau), Ellande Larronde (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA), Miguel Heidemann (REMBE | rad-net) and Ole Theiler (REMBE | rad-net). The quintet was reduced to a trio when the first two were unable to maintain the pace of their breakaway companions.

Taking advantage of the day's second climb, the Hermersberg categorized climb, Miguel Heidemann and Ole Theiler accelerated, distancing Ellande Larronde. Meanwhile, behind the breakaway riders, attacks from Juan Pedro López (Movistar Team), Giulio Ciccone (Lidl Trek), Mathias Vacek (Lidl – Trek), Louis Barré (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) were whittling down the main group.

The day's breakaway was neutralized when 46 kilometres remained to the finish line and the intermediate sprint was approaching. With courage, 22-year-old Théo Hébert, a stagiaire with TotalEnergies, attacked on the counterattack, claiming points at the flying sprint and continuing alone at the front.

The Dutch national champion set off in pursuit and caught him, forming a two-man lead when 30 kilometres remained to the finish line.

The breakaway ended 7 kilometres from the finish line, and immediately after, Barré (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) accelerated, first alongside Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) and then in complete solitude all the way to the line, which he crossed with arms raised and a 16-second advantage over Del Toro and Ciccone.

Tomorrow, the second road stage of the German race will take the peloton from Schwäbisch Hall to Offenbach an der Queich.

Updates to follow