Cycling: Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) won the Drôme Classic on Sunday afternoon. After 206 kilometers he left the Quick-Step duo Jhonatan Narvaez and Bob Jungels behind. Another good result for German cycling was achieved by their teammate Maximilian Schachmann, who finished eleventh.
Calmejane brings Quick-Step to its knees twice
Cool temperatures and strong winds. Not exactly the weather conditions for fair-weather drivers. At the Drôme Classic, the drivers not only had to deal with their opponents, but also with the conditions. It hardly bothered him Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energy). The Frenchman kept his cool even when faced with two pros from Team Quick-Step Floors. First he shook Bob jungels off, then his teammates Jonathan Narvaez.
La Drôme Classic is part of the Boucles du Sud Ardèche along with the Classic de l'Ardèche. However, both races are counted as one-day races. In France, they are often perceived as preparation for Paris-Nice, which is why many French present themselves strongly here. So too Remi Cavagna (Quick-Step Floors), who started out as a soloist today, but was later accompanied by five other riders. With 25 kilometers to go, the escape was over and the race started all over again.
The preliminary decision was made on the third last climb: Calmejane, Jungels and Narvaez were able to break free and were not brought back. Despite the unequal distribution, they worked well together. But that was the end of it 1.500 meters from the finish line. Lilian Calmejane stepped up for the first time and shook Bob jungels away. At the second attempt he was also Jonathan Narvaez Come on. Calmejane celebrates his first win of the season. Romain Bardet, who yesterday the Classic de l'Ardeche could win, finished eighth today. Maximilian schachmann finished eleventh.
????????@L_Calmejane of 🇫🇷@TeamDEN_fr wins @boucles_classic 🇫🇷La Royal Bernard Drôme Classic #BDA2018 pic.twitter.com/qe3lXcGq45
— World Cycling Stats (@wcstats) 25. February 2018