France 01 Mar 2026 Class1.Pro – 1 day – UCI ProSeries
Websitewww.boucles-drome-ardeche.fr
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
The 2026 Faun Drôme Classic, part of the UCI ProSeries, is taking place today, Sunday, March 1, 2026. As the second half of the “Boucles Drôme-Ardèche” weekend, it follows yesterday’s Faun-Ardèche Classic, where 19-year-old sensation Paul Seixas took a stunning solo victory.
Below is the program and key details for today’s race.
Race Schedule & Logistics
The race follows a loop format, starting and finishing in the town of Étoile-sur-Rhône.
- Neutral Start: 11:45 CET
- Official Start: 11:54 CET
- Expected Finish: Between 16:15 and 16:35 CET
- Total Distance: 189 km
- Total Elevation Gain: ~2,400 meters
The Course (Key Climbs)
The route is characterized by its “mal de mer” (seasick) profile—constant short, punchy climbs that never allow the peloton to settle. The final 40 km are particularly grueling:
- Col de la Grande Limite: 4 km at 6.2% (approx. 40 km from finish)
- Côte des Roberts: 1.6 km at 7.5%
- Mur d’Allex: 0.6 km at 8.6% (often the site of the winning attack)
- Plateau de Soulier: 0.5 km at 5.7%
- Finish at Étoile-sur-Rhône: A final 1 km ramp at 5.6%.
Top Contenders & Start List
With yesterday’s winner Paul Seixas not scheduled to start today, the field is wide open for the “puncheurs” who can handle steep ramps.
| Rider | Team | Notable Form |
| Matteo Jorgenson | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 4th in yesterday’s Ardèche Classic; strong favorite. |
| Jan Christen | UAE Team Emirates | 2nd yesterday; highly explosive young talent. |
| Lenny Martinez | Bahrain Victorious | 3rd yesterday; elite climber looking for a win. |
| Romain Grégoire | Groupama-FDJ | Defending former winner; looking for revenge after a tough Saturday. |
| Marc Hirschi | Tudor Pro Cycling | 2024 winner; perfectly suited to this undulating terrain. |
| Ben Healy | EF Education-EasyPost | Known for long-range solo attacks. |
How to Watch
- France: Live on La Chaîne L’Équipe (starting around 13:40 CET).
- International: Available via Eurosport / Discovery+ and FloBikes (North America).
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Faun Drôme Classic is a prominent one-day professional cycling race held in the Drôme department of southeastern France. It forms the second half of the “Boucles Drôme-Ardèche” weekend, following the Faun-Ardèche Classic.
While it is a relatively young race compared to the historic “Monuments,” it has quickly become a prestigious early-season fixture for climbers and “puncheurs.”
Key Historical Milestones
- Inception (2013): The race was originally scheduled to debut in 2013 as the Valence Drôme Classic. However, the inaugural edition was cancelled due to heavy snow, a rare occurrence that also saw several other European races called off that weekend.
- First Edition (2014): The race successfully launched in 2014. French star Romain Bardet became the first-ever winner, setting a trend for high-profile victors.
- UCI Status Evolution:
- 2014–2019: Classified as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour.
- 2020–Present: Promoted to the UCI ProSeries (1.Pro), the second-highest tier of professional cycling. This upgrade attracted a much higher caliber of WorldTour teams and riders.
- Name Changes: The race has seen various titles due to sponsorship, including Royal Bernard Drôme Classic (2016–2021) and its current name, Faun Drôme Classic, adopted in 2022.
Notable Winners
The race is famous for the fact that, as of 2026, no rider has ever won it twice, reflecting the unpredictable and competitive nature of the hilly terrain.
| Year | Winner | Nation | Team |
| 2026 | Romain Gregoire | FRA | Groupama-FDJ United |
| 2025 | Juan Ayuso | ESP | UAE Team Emirates |
| 2024 | Marc Hirschi | SUI | UAE Team Emirates |
| 2023 | Anthony Perez | FRA | Cofidis |
| 2022 | Jonas Vingegaard | DEN | Team Jumbo–Visma |
| 2021 | Andrea Bagioli | ITA | Deceuninck–Quick-Step |
| 2020 | Simon Clarke | AUS | EF Pro Cycling |
| 2014 | Romain Bardet | FRA | AG2R La Mondiale |
The Course & Character
The race typically starts and finishes in Étoile-sur-Rhône. While slightly less “mountainous” than its sister race (the Ardèche Classic), the Drôme Classic is defined by a relentless series of short, steep climbs.
- Signature Challenges: The route often features the Mur d’Allex, the Col de la Grande Limite, and the Côte des Roberts. These “walls” are designed to explode the peloton and favor riders with an explosive uphill kick.
- Tactical Style: Unlike the long, steady climbs of the Alps, the Drôme Classic is often won by a solo attacker or a very small group of elite riders who manage to break away in the final 20–40 km.
