The squad was again active in France.
Our weekend concluded Sunday afternoon in Étoile-sur-Rhône, the finish town of the Drôme Classic, whose 169km course featured a total of 16 ascents. The last of these was climbed in the closing kilometer, but things came to life much earlier, with around 40 kilometers to go, when Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) attacked and opened a gap.
Gianmarco Garofoli, who was making his fourth outing of the season in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey, joined the chasing group and at one point went alone in pursuit of the Spaniard, but was caught by those behind. As the leader continued to increase his margin, Gianmarco remained very active, trying again to go clear on one of the climbs stacked in the last 20 kilometers of the race, many of which had double-digit gradients.
The peloton came back again and kept things together while in pursuit of the lone leader, who managed to remain at the front and take the victory. Tour of Oman stage 2 winner Louis Vervaeke – who also tried his luck by going on the attack on the final circuit – was the first Soudal Quick-Step rider home, finishing the race in the top 20.
Photo credit: ©Billy Ceusters / Getty Images
