Grand Prix La Marseillaise
The Grand Prix La Marseillaise 2024 marked a spectacular start to the French cycling season, with Luxembourg's Kévin Geniets of Groupama - FDJ claiming his first professional victory outside national championships. The race unfolded over an undulating 167.5 kilometers, featuring a total elevation gain of 2,760 meters, and concluded in the heart of Marseille.
The day's breakaway comprised five riders: Théo Delacroix, Alex Colman, Hugo Toumire, Jean-Louis Le Ny, and Jelle Vermoote. However, their efforts were in vain as the peloton, not perceiving them as a serious threat, comfortably controlled the gap. The real action ignited in the final kilometers, particularly after a crash involving pre-race favorites Milan Menten and Stefano Oldani, which drastically reduced the main group.
The decisive moment came on the Route des Crêtes, where Rémy Rochas of Groupama-FDJ made a significant effort to launch Kévin Geniets and Alex Baudin on the day's toughest climb. The duo managed to distance themselves from the fractured peloton, which couldn't find the necessary coordination to mount an effective chase, allowing Geniets and Baudin to build a lead of 50 seconds.
In the final climb of the day, Kévin Vauquelin launched a spirited attack from the chasing group, closing the gap to 25 seconds at the summit. However, the leading duo, benefiting from the downhill finish, managed to stay ahead. In a thrilling mano-a-mano sprint to the finish, Geniets proved too strong for Baudin, securing an impressive win. Vauquelin finished a commendable third.
Spanish riders Pau Miquel and Eduard Prades also put in strong performances, finishing in the top ten. This year's Grand Prix La Marseillaise saw the participation of 140 riders from 19 countries across 20 teams, including two Spanish teams, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA and Kern Pharma. Geniets' victory marks a promising start to his season, building on the legacy of Neilson Powless, the previous year's winner.