Route du Sud: Vachon sprints to stage one win in Saint-Gaudens

Bretagne-Schuller's Florian Vachon the 211.5 kilometer opening stage of the Route du Sud today in the town of Saint-Gaudens.  The Frenchman outkicked Belgian Gianni Meersman (Francaise des Jeux) and Spainiard Angel Arcos Vicioso (Andalucia-Cajasur) in the final sprint to become the first leader in the three-day event.

The race continues on Saturday with a two part stage.  It will begin with an 82.8 kilometer stage in the morning that will take the peloton from Izaourt back to Saint-Gaudens, and end with a short 16.2 kilometer time trial in the afternoon.