After being outsprinted by Victor Lafay in the previous edition of Classic Grand Besançon Doubs, Lenny Martinez returned stronger in the 2024 edition, beating Victor Langelotti in the final metres.
The main favourites for the win on Montfaucon (3.3 km, 9.4%) were Lenny Martinez, David Gaudu, Felix Gall and Michael Woods. Whilst Lenny Martinez lost to Victor Lafay in the previous year, his compatriot did go on to win a Tour de France stage against the big stars in the Basque Country Grand Depart – on Montfaucon they both did 7,01 ᵉW/Kg for 10:45 min.
Before Montfaucon 23-year-old Uno-X rider Ådne Holter had over a minute lead on the peloton but he would not win the race despite being by far the strongest rider from the breakaway. Lotto Dstny rider Johannes Adamietz before the final climb spent 3,369 kilojoules for 3:59h, which is 13,59 kj/kg/h – a moderate intensity for a one-day race.
After winning Classic Var and Trofeo Laigueglia in the early season and finishing 8th in Strade Bianche, 7th Volta a Catalunya and 2nd in O Gran Camiño against world class competition, Martinez continued his successful season with an early attack on the steep slopes of Montfaucon, immediately opening a gap over his rivals. His teammate David Gaudu tried to attack from the GC group but stopped his attempts when he could not obtain separation.
Martinez with 2.5 km to go caught Holter but was losing speed as he seemed to have spent a lot of energy with his initial acceleration. The 20-year-old Frenchman is reported by RMC Sport to have signed a 3 year deal with Bahrain-Victorious for 2025 onwards, with a reported 800,000 euros per year salary. This would be a huge loss for FDJ, as their big stars Romain Gregoire, Laurence Pithie and Paul Penhoët all are available on free agent market at the same time, with Pithie already rumoured to be heading to Bora-Hansgrohe in 2025. Burgos BH puncheur Victor Langellotti bridged to Martinez but could not drop him and lost his wheel in the final 50 metres.
Martinez went full gas on Montfaucon and produced 7.33 ᵉW/Kg for 10:32 min. Langelotti with much more drafting lost 4 seconds and so ‘only’ averaged 7.11 ᵉW/Kg. Gaudu finished third with 7.05 ᵉW/Kg for 10:43 min. The last breakaway survivor Holter finished 12th, doing 6.13 ᵉW/Kg for 12:22 min as he had a huge headstart at the base of the climb.
In terms of the big pre-race favourites, 2023 Tour de France stage winners Felix Gall (5th) and Michael Woods (14th) were no match for the Groupama-FDJ duo. The French Cup will continue on Saturday with Tour du Jura Cycliste, which finishes up Mont Poupet (4.1 km, 8%), while on Sunday Tour du Doubs ends on Pontarlier - Le Larmont (6.4 km, 5.4%).
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