This is what a successful start to the season looks like: Jordi Meeus finished second in his first race of the year for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe on the first stage of the Etoile de Bessèges. However, the almost exclusively flat 159-kilometre section around Bellegarde ended on a final climb of around 800 meters. There, Meeus was only caught by Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) in the final meters. On behalf of the Frenchman, Meeus will take the points jersey on stage 2.
Like the Belgian, his compatriot Maxim Van Gils also presented himself with good legs. He ultimately finished fourth on the final hill. Jan Tratnik also made it into the Top 10, crossing the finish line in eighth place, two seconds behind Meeus. Both rounded off the strong team result on their first day of racing for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe at the start in the south of France.
Photo: GettySport