One day after being a key protagonist in the Classic du Sud-Ardeche, Riccardo Zoidl again came to the fore in yesterday's La Drome Classic. Arguably one of the strongest riders in the race, the Austrian is on track for his debut grand tour at the Giro d'Italia.

The 189-kilometer La Drôme Classic, run for the first time after being canceled last year from snow, was a spirited race the moment the flag dropped and the first hills split the peloton early. After 40 kilometers the lead group numbered 36 riders, which swelled to 52 by the 60-kilometer mark. The Verandas Willems team did the bulk of the work to bring the peloton together again, and by 80 kilometers it had all regrouped.

The next significant move of 18 riders forged off the front with 80 kilometers to go, which included both Riccardo Zoidl and Fabio Felline of Trek Factory Racing. The gap grew to almost two minutes before the peloton behind gradually reeled in the leash; with 50 kilometers remaining their lead had shrunk to 35 seconds.

Sensing an imminent catch, six riders slipped away from this group - including Zoidl - as behind a chase group of 12 formed out of a fatiguing peloton.  The 12 would eventually connect with the six leaders, while a defeated peloton lost ground; it was now a race amongst the 18 riders at the front.

The attacks did not stop as riders jumped off the front, testing whom, if any, had any legs left. The group whittled down to number 13 with under 20km remaining, and Zoidl continued to battle, seemingly to be one of the strongest. 

On the last categorized climb with 10 kilometers left, six riders went clear gaining 30” advantage, again with Zoidl, but the group behind would scramble back and relatch.

Attacks continued through the final kilometers, until finally Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) countered a move that no one could respond to. He powered away and had gained seven seconds advantage under the flame rouge. It proved to be the winning move and Bardet soloed in to take a strongman’s victory.  Behind, the remaining 11 riders sprinted for the last podium steps, with Sébastien Delfosse (Wallonie-Bruxelles) and Gianni Meersman (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) grabbing second and third respectively.

Riccardo Zoidl placed a respectable 11th after playing his hand numerous times in a highly spirited and tactical battle.

“At the end it was a really, really difficult race," sports director Alain Gallopin said. "Only the strong riders were in the front at the end. Riccardo did really well again, and Fabio [Felline], too; he was good to be in the break at the important moment of the race with 80kms to go.

"Belkin and Cofidis were the teams that chased and the peloton came back close. Then six riders went away and Riccardo looked to be the strongest of this group. But after, when the counter-attacks went, this was our mistake that we had no one there. It was a strong attack from [Phillippe] Gilbert, and [Romain] Bardet, and guys with a lot of experience like [Thomas] Voeckler and [Pierrick] Fédrigo followed. But our young guys missed having that experience today.

“Jasper [Stuyven] was in the first breakaway, and after it was just a big fight in the race. It was not easy for the team today since this is the second day of racing for them and some of the other teams changed riders.  Fabio Silvestre was sick so I asked him to stop.

“Julián [Arredondo] although he is showing to be one of the strongest here, I asked him to take it more easy today. I did not want him to ride hard today because he will do Camaiore in four days, and Tirreno after this, so he did not go full-gas today. But Riccardo had the green light to race hard since he will not do Tirreno or Paris-Nice.  He is on the plan to be at his best for Giro d’Italia.

“This kind of race, which is not easy, is a very good opportunity to teach the younger riders on the team how to work together. Yesterday they worked very well, but today they missed some experience, and also power, at the end. But it’s like this; overall we had two good races and took initiative both days and this is a good morale-booster for the team."