The Italian's resilience and consistency helped him win the points classification at the French event.
Attacks flew from the drop of the flag at kilometer zero on the final stage of the Tour de l'Ain, which started in Lagnieu and continued with the riders going over three classified climbs: Côte de Corlier, Col de la Rochette and Col du Grand Colombier, the iconic ascent of the race. The several accelerations which came from the bunch were firmly controlled for 30-odd kilometers, until 15 riders managed to get some space and leave the peloton behind. Among these there was also Matteo Trentin, but unfortunately for the 27-year-old, the move didn't stick once the road began to rise and he soon was back in the pack.
Other men then had a go immediately and managed to open a gap, which they maintained until the lower slopes of Col du Grand Colombier, Tour de l'Ain's final difficulty. Averaging 6.1% over 20.5 kilometers, the Hors Catégorie ascent had a huge impact on the yellow jersey group, which soon exploded, leaving many riders on their own, as the race began to evolve quickly.
Luxembourg champion and Giro d'Italia white jersey Bob Jungels went to the attack and made his way to the front, together with eight other riders, but that action also came to an end before the summit of Colombier. Bart De Clercq (Lotto-Soudal), David Gaudu (FDJ) and Pierre Latour (AG2R) led over the top, but on the descent a regrouping took place and the stage victory was decided in a reduced sprint on a short uphill drag. Alexandre Geniez (FDJ) came out on top, beating Romain Hardy (Cofidis) by a hair's breadth, while Sam Oomen (Giant-Alpecin) won the overall, ahead of De Clercq and Latour.
Minutes later, Matteo Trentin arrived at the finish with the green jersey on his shoulders, that was in his possession since the opening day, and which he won, making it for the second time this season that he came out on top in the points standings of a stage race, following July's Tour de Wallonie: "It was another tough day in the saddle, in which my goal was to successfully defend the green jersey, because I really wanted to take it home, especially after the hard work of my teammates in this race. I'm coming out of the Tour de l'Ain with confidence and a good form, which is encouraging for my next appointment, the Cyclassics Hamburg."
Photo credit: © James STARTT/Agence Zoom
