Report: Etoile de Bessèges Stage 1

FDJ rider Nacer Bouhanni has won the first stage of the 42nd Etoile de Bessèges, the first stage race of 2012 in Europe. The 21-year old from FDJ-BigMat was the fastest in the bunch kick after 148 kilometres, defeating well known sprinter Marcel Kittel.

A break of 13 riders dominated the early part of the stage before being reeled in which was the signal for Belgian’s Koen Barbé (Landbouwkrediet) and Steven Van Vooren (Lotto) to have a go and they managed to open up a lead of over five minutes at one stage. It wasn’t to be and despite a lot of attacks in the closing stages, the race came back together for a bunch kick.

Result
1.  Nacer Bouhanni, FDJ – BigMat
2.  Marcel Kittel, 1t4i
3.  Jean-pierre Drucker, Accent.jobs – Willems Veranda’s
4.  Bobbie Traksel, Landbouwkrediet – Euphony
5.  Kris Boeckmans, Vacansoleil – DCM
6.  Samuel Dumoulin, Cofidis
7.  Jure Kocjan, Type 1 – SANOFI
8.  Yukiya Arashiro, Europcar
9.  Kevyn Ista, Accent.jobs – Willems Veranda’s
10.  Anthony Ravard, Ag2R – La Mondiale

INTERNATIONAL RACE REPORTS & RESULTS 2012

INTERNATIONAL RESULTS 2012