Racing
Jefferson Alexander Cepeda wins the yellow jersey at the Tour de l’Ain
Ecuadorian secures overall victory after a huge effort from the team on the third and final stage
July 15, 2024
Jefferson Alexander Cepeda sewed up the general classification win today at the Tour de l’Ain.
The Ecuadorian pulled on the yellow jersey on the final podium after his teammates put in a fantastic effort to defend his overall lead on the race’s third and final stage.
“For me it’s been a really nice victory because the team worked really well and everyone’s really happy,” Cepeda said after the finish. “It’s been three fast days of racing but we’re happy.”
Cepeda took over the race lead yesterday with a thrilling attack up to the summit of the ski station of Monts-Jura. He arrived at the finish line solo, 28 seconds ahead of his nearest chasers. The task for Stage 3 was to keep his lead.
Archie Ryan, Hugh Carthy, Simon Carr, Jack Rootkin-Gray, and Jardi van der Lee went to work, patrolling the front of the peloton and taking turns in the wind to keep breakaways in check. With eight categorized climbs on the route from Lagnieu to Ile Chambord, it would be no easy job. But they were up to the task.
Our team rode on to the first of two laps of the hilly finishing circuit at the front of the pack and upped the pace, dropping riders out of the back as they chased down the day’s early attackers. Before the final climb, they had them in sight. A few attacks went. Archie Ryan danced right up to them with Cepeda on his wheel.
The two EF Education-EasyPost riders rode over the summit with a 14-man selection and tore down the other side to the finish in Ile Chambord, where the Champagne was waiting. Cepeda will toast his teammates tonight to thank them for their efforts today.
“The team rode really well. All of the guys did a great job. We saw that they did lots of work in the finale and before that controlling the race, so it’s great. Now I’m going to enjoy this and continue preparing for my next objectives. My season wasn’t so great at the start, but I had some time to recover in my country and now I’m even more motivated. I’m going to enjoy this and continue preparing for my next objectives, but I’ll enjoy this moment more than anything.”
Congratulations, Cepeda. And congratulations, squad. This was a great team win!
