“Before I was called 'The guy of Arkéa', now it's Kévin” … Vauquelin, 4th of the general, continues to change status

The French runner of the Arkéa-B & B Hotels team seized the best young white jersey after the second stage of the Tour de France on Sunday.

After winning the second stage of the Tour in Bologna (Italy) in 2024, Kévin Vauquelin dreamed of winner on the second stage in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Sunday July 6. The Arkéa-B & B Hotels runner attacked several times in the last coasts of the course, but the great leaders including Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu Van der Poel did not let him fly to victory. With his latest good results, the 24 -year -old Norman is more monitored by his competitors.

Because since his victory on the Tour de France a year ago, the Frenchman recently finished second in the Tour de Switzerland behind the Portuguese Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates), and best young. “Did you see the week you did? For the Tour, it's great! Quiet!”had congratulated him on his idol, Julian Alaphilippe, after the last Swiss stage. He also signed a second place on the Walloon arrow, as in 2024. And at the last French championships, with a less armed team to play the winner than the collectives of Ag2r-Decathlon and Groupama-FDJ, he finished third in the online race and second of the time trial.

“I said to myself that there may have been a blow to play in the final, I tried, but I may be more watched and it's more difficult to get out of the gamerecognized the leader in Breton training on arrival in Boulogne-sur-Mer. I think it is in relation to the last months. When I am seen attacking before the bump, then at the top, the other leaders say to themselves that if they let me go, victory can escape them “.

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Increased surveillance and distrust that could prevent it from imposing itself, but which remains rewarding: “Already, being in this group with Pogacar and Van der Poel is exceptional. In the peloton, I am no longer told 'the guy of Arkea', I am called Kévin or Vauquelin”, he notes.

For the third stage, the Norman, fourth in the general classification, will be even more recognized by his peers or by the public, since he will wear the best young white jersey. He is the first Frenchman to wear it from Pierre Latour, winner of the tunic in 2018. Keep this distinctive jersey before the stages at home, in Normandy, will be his goal for the next few days. “It motivates me even more, it makes me want to arrive on my roads with a distinctive jersey, since I missed the blue-white-red jersey”says Kévin Vauquelin.

And if the desire to pass the finish line in mind begins to itch it because it “Turn around” In recent months, the stages of Rouen, Bayeux, or the time trial in Caen could suit his profile. Refreshing for tricolor cycling, he could then register, in the line of Julian Alaphilippe, like the new darling of the French.