Trek Factory Racing endured a few scary moments during the very windy first stage of the Tour Mediteraneen but ended up keeping their GC options open when things came back together for a bunch sprint. Despite not featuring at the top end of the leaderboard, the team is happy with the outcome of a dangerous day.

Trek Factory Racing finished with four riders safely in the front peloton on a stressful first day in the south of France but there was no easing into the opening day of the Tour Méditerranéen, with a hilly, and long 223.5- kilometer stage that began in Argelès-sur-Mer and ended in Montagnac. 

Echelons formed in the strong winds with 60 kilometers to go, but by the finish everything had regrouped for a bunch sprint, won by John Degenkolb (Giant Shimano).  Danilo Napolitano (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bardiani-CSF) rounded out the top three.

Trek Factory Racing finished with its key GC riders intact, all in the front group, after a critical moment with 60 kilometers remaining threatened to blow the race apart.  Fabio Felline was the highest finisher for the team in 19th place.

“The problem was that there was a roundabout with 60 kilometers to go that was closed on the left,” Director Alain Gallopin explained. “We had the whole team in good position here, but those that went on the left were blocked. It was a big moment in the race; after this there were four or five groups. We only had Bob [Jungels] in the second group and Laurent [Didier] in the third. It was a stressful moment, but in the end everyone came together, and it was okay.”

A five-rider breakaway escaped in the early going and gained over eight minutes as Giant-Shimano seemed to be the only team willing to work for the first 150 kilometers. Eventually the breakaway was caught, and the groups that had formed in the strong winds merged, but the lengthy, undulating stage was an indication that this stage race, although short with only four days total, will be challenging.

“The race was a little crazy,” continued Gallopin. “From the beginning it was a little bit of a walk with only one team working, but then from the roundabout moment on, it was echelons and stressful. Today, at 224 kilometers [in length] and with the wind, it was not easy.”

With the more difficult climbing stages to come, the Trek Factory Racing team is looking for a good overall result, and getting through the first stage unscathed was important.

“The main thing is that Riccardo [Zoidl] and Bob [Jungels] not lose any time,” said Gallopin. “Danny [Van Poppel] was sick last week and I did not see him in the back today, so that’s good. Overall I think the team did well. It was a little scary at the one big moment in the race, but we came together at the end.”

Today's 2nd stage could potentially shake the GC up a bit as the riders will face an HC climb just 25km from the finish.