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ROUTE ANALYSIS

• Schedule: 11:54–16:25 CET
• TV start: 13:45 CET

More than 2,000 metres of elevation gain are packed into 16 climbs, the vast majority of them short and explosive, with three exceptions: Cote de Tartaiguille (3.4 km - 4.8%), Col de la Grande Limite (4.6 km - 6.1%) and Cote des Roberts (1.6 km - 8.3%). Even so, the finale will be decisive. The last kilometre averages 6.6%, with the final metres also exceeding 10% on several occasions, and will ultimately decide the winner on the day.

THE WEATHER

A near-perfect day in terms of weather. Neither wind, rain nor temperature should play an important role in how the race unfolds.

STARTLIST

FAVOURITES FOR THE WIN

Second consecutive classic with the same star-studded field, but with an uphill drag to the line that completely changes the tactical reading of the race. What in another scenario would encourage long-range attacks can here be decided in an explosive final kilometre, more about positioning and keeping a cool head than pure attrition.

In this new context, Romain Grégoire, Christian Scaroni and Jan Christen gain in stature. They are very competitive riders in short, violent efforts, perfect for a finish that kicks off from 600–700 metres to go. Mattias Skjelmose, more solid when the race is really hard, can also adapt, although his ideal scenario is still a more selective one. Four riders who cope well with a finale where more riders remain in contention, with Christen likely to be the first to light things up and attack from distance. Joining the top favourites directly is Paul Lapeira, who, without racing the previous day, has much more to say here.

Just behind, but very much in the mix, we find Ben Healy, Matteo Jorgenson and Lenny Martínez. If the race gets tougher before the finale, they come fully into the equation. Of all of them, the one to trust the most if the race doesn’t blow apart too much is the Frenchman.

Keep an eye as well on Benoît Cosnefroy. In a more tightly controlled sprint finish he would be the standout favourite in other editions, but we have to trust that little by little he will ride into form and get closer to that win. Around him, names such as Axel Laurance, Andrea Bagioli, Alex Aranburu, Dorian Godon and Antonio Morgado could again fit into the scenario of a day that hasn’t been excessively demanding.

One rung below, but not to be overlooked, are Marc Hirschi, Quinn Simmons, Jarno Widar, Davide Piganzoli, Marco Brenner, Jefferson Cepeda, Ewen Costiou and Edoardo Zambanini. And this is where I make my move: this finish suits Widar particularly well. He has a good kick and knows how to position himself in nervy finales; if the race doesn’t explode too much beforehand, he can sneak into the fight for something big. This might be the first day he really flirts with victory this season.

Among the younger or less proven riders —Pierre-Henry Basset, Björn Koerdt, Simone Gualdi, Maxime Jarnet and Axel Mariault— the uphill drag opens up an interesting opportunity. And if I have to highlight a clear outsider for this race, I’ll go with Koerdt. He has already shown that he has a good turn of speed and the ability to handle demanding days, so we must not and cannot overlook him.

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IL CAPO CED’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE A CAPO IN FANTASY

💥 Il capo’s stat

9 of 12 editions have had a French rider on the podium, although none in the last two years.

🌟 Capos to follow

1200; Matteo Jorgenson.
The only rider who costs 1200 coins. He makes his debut in this race, but he is a very reliable rider on constantly up-and-down terrain.

1000; Mattias Skjelmose.
An insurance policy for days like this. 6th, 5th and 2nd in his three appearances here.

800; Romain Grégoire.
I’ll go with the FDJ rider to name one, but in this price range I wouldn’t pick any rider, since in terms of price–points return I think there are much better options.

600; Axel Laurance.
With Godon’s last-minute withdrawal, I trust that Axel will line up as Ineos’ leader for this race.
He has already won this season, he’s in form and the route suits his characteristics very well.

400; Paul Lapeira.
Here we go with the former French champion, who was already 7th here in 2024. He will be Decathlon’s leader in the absence of Seixas.

200; Benoît Cosnefroy.
Will this be Benoît’s first victory with his new team?
5th, 3rd and 9th in his three appearances here.

📂 Riders at -10% who managed to finish Top10
2025: 2
2024: 2
2023: 3 (including the winner)
2022: 2
2021: 5

📂 Of the 15 riders most selected by users: how many won, how many made the podium and how many finished between 4th and 10th?

2025: 🥇🥈✖️ 3 (5/10)
2024: 🥇🥈🥉 4 (7/10)
2023: ✖️🥈✖️ 3 (4/10)
2022: 🥇🥈🥉 4 (7/10)
2021: ✖️🥈✖️ 2 (3/10)

📂 T10 in the same season in Faun-Ardèche + Faun Drome.
‘20: Barguil, G. Martin, Kangert
‘21: Honoré, Godon
‘22: G. Martin, Vuillermoz, Barguil
‘23: Rui Costa, Gaudu, Skjelmose
‘24: Ayuso, van Gils, Skjelmose
‘25: Ayuso, Skjelmose, Champoussin, Fortunato

In other words, since the 2020 edition, every season we’ve had at least three riders who have repeated a T10 in both classics, except in 2021, when there were only two.