Markel Beloki wins the Tour de l'Ain

Young Spaniard Markel Beloki (EF Education-EasyPost) has written a significant chapter in his career by taking the overall victory at the Tour de l'Ain . After three days of racing in France, the Spanish talent defended the leader's jersey with intelligence and determination, taking home his first professional stage race victory. It's a remarkable result that certainly won't go unnoticed by Fantacycling fans.

The third and final stage, finishing in Lélex Monts-Jura , was a fierce battle amidst the ups and downs of France. EF Education-EasyPost attempted to close the loop with a stage win courtesy of Jefferson Alexander Cepeda , who attacked decisively with 2 km to go, breaking away from a group of nine riders. But the American team's plans didn't go according to plan.

The Ecuadorian was caught by Jamie Meehan (Cofidis) just 300 meters from the finish, only to be overtaken by a third wheel in the final sprint. The sprint winner was Frenchman Axel Mariault (CIC Pro Cycling Academy), who, at 28, unexpectedly secured his first professional victory. This unexpected victory denied EF a perfect hat-trick, but it didn't compromise Beloki's overall victory.

Beloki finished second on the stage, not fast enough to beat Mariault in the sprint, but solid enough to retain his title. Mariault finished 52 seconds behind him in the final general classification, with Meehan third at 55 seconds. Also noteworthy were Henrique Ribeiro Bravo (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team) in fourth place and Nicola Conci (XDS Astana) in sixth, the only Italian in the top 10.