The vibrant streets of Italy echoed with cheers as French climber Kevin Vauquelin of Team Arkea-B&B Hotels claimed a remarkable solo victory on the second stage of the Tour de France, riding his Bianchi Oltre RC aero bike.

In what is undoubtedly the biggest win of his young career, the 23-year-old conquered the tough gradients leading to the Sanctuary of San Luca in Bologna. Vauquelin was part of an 11-man breakaway that formed early on the stage, covering the distance from Cesenatico to Bologna. His teammate, Cristian Rodriguez, also showcased an impressive performance, finishing fourth on his Specialissima RC.

The stage, characterized by long flat sections interspersed with steep climbs, saw Vauquelin and Rodriguez executing a flawless tactical plan. Vauquelin made his decisive move on the second ascent towards the Sanctuary, solidifying his place as a versatile and promising talent in the cycling world.

Bianchi, the Italian bike manufacturer, celebrated this victory with pride. The partnership between Bianchi and Arkea-B&B Hotels, which began in 2023, has already yielded significant results, including six wins and notable second places for Luca Mozzato at the Tour of Flanders and Vauquelin at the Flèche Wallonne.

The historic Italian Grand Depart of the Tour de France was marked by a special jersey presentation at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence on June 27th, inspired by Bianchi’s iconic white-celeste heritage.

As the Grande Boucle continues, Team Arkea-B&B Hotels, with riders like Arnaud Demare, Luca Mozzato, and Clement Champoussin, alongside Vauquelin, look forward to chasing further successes in the coming stages.