Alex Baudin wins opening stage of Tour Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes

French rider Alex Baudin (EF Education‑EasyPost) claimed a solo victory on stage 1 of the newly named Tour Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes. The 146.2 km route ran from Vizille to Saint‑Ismier and featured five categorized climbs – Col de l’Arzelier, Côte de Seyssins, Côte de Quaix‑en‑Chartreuse, Col de Vence and the final Côte de Rousset – before Baudin broke away from a nine‑man group and held off the peloton to finish 32 seconds ahead of the chase. Ramses Debruyne (Alpecin‑Premier Tech) was second and Léo Bisiaux (Decathlon CMA CGM) third. The win gave Baudin the race leader’s yellow jersey. Main favourites Paul Seixas, Isaac del Toro, Juan Ayuso and Matteo Jorgenson arrived within 44 seconds of the winner, while João Almeida struggled on his return to competition. The race, formerly the Critérium du Dauphiné, opened a week‑long WorldTour calendar in the French Alps.