Bahrain Victorious’ Phil Bauhaus won the final stage sprint of the Tour de la Provence yesterday, a wheel’s length ahead of Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) and Nacer Bouhanni (Arkéa-Samsic).
Iván Sosa (Ineos Grenadiers) rolled home in the group to secure the overall victory, beating Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) in the GC by 18 seconds.
His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised Bauhaus.
He said the victory shows Bahrain Victorious is moving in the right direction as per the strategy designed by the administrative and technical staff to accomplish the best results.
He said the team is accomplishing great results in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 through participating in various international competitions and taking advantage of sports to promote the kingdom.
“Bahrain Victorious is moving towards achieving further successes and raising Bahrain’s flag high, which is the main goal of the team,” Shaikh Nasser said.
He also wished the team success in the up-coming competitions.
Bauhaus scored his win after a hectic finale through the streets of Salon de Provence that saw a handful of sprinters jostling for space.
Pre-stage favourite Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ) was out of position throughout the final kilometre as Alaphilippe led the Deceuninck-Quick-Step train at the front of the bunch. Ballerini sat poised in the wheels of his teammates with Bouhanni and Bauhaus behind him, making the most of the Quick-Step lead out.
Ballerini opened the taps first as he hunted his third win of the tour, and the Italian edged clear as Bauhaus took the long route around the side of the accelerating bunch.
The German sprinter stayed strong as Ballerini faded and Bouhanni found himself boxed in at the barriers, leaving the 26-year-old to take the opening victory for his Bahrain Victorious team.
Bauhaus said that the looping course, which had already passed through the finishing line earlier in the stage, played in his favour.
“It’s nice to see the finish before so you can make a final plan,” he said. “I knew I had to be in the front at 600 metres to go and it went really well for us. I’m pleased I was strong enough to finish it off.”
The win was Bahaus’ first since the Saudi Tour last February.
“It’s always good for a sprinter to win races, and I’m also happy for the team, it takes some pressure off us,” he said.
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