Irish U23 road race champion, Jamie Meehan, has made his Would Tour debut today, for French team Cofidis, and has enjoyed a very strong start to his tenure in the top tier.
The 21-year-old Donegal man showed no signs of nerves as he was one of only two Cofidis riders to make the front group when the field split on the main climb of the day at Tour de l'Ain (2.1).
Meehan has climbed very well this season and today the Irishman clearly had his climbing legs on for of the 14km Col de Portes, crested 26km from the finish in Lagnieu. Visma Lease a Bike took it on going up the climb, with the peloton exploding under the pressure.
When front group went over the top of the climb, a regrouping of sorts took place down the descent and onto the flat towards the finish. However, the group numbered just 29 riders by the team it reached the finish, with debutant Meehan among them after 163km of racing.
Related News
He finished in 27th place, on the same time as stage winner, who led in a Groupama-FDJ 1-2, just ahead of his team mate, David Gaudu. Andrea Vendrame (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) was 3rd.
More to come.
Tom Donnenwirth and David Gaudu deliver a 1-2 for Groupama-FDJ on the opening stage of the Tour de l'Ain! ? pic.twitter.com/K1rESiHJot
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) August 6, 2025
