Nicolas Roche, son of the 1987 Tour de France winner Stephen Roche, took his first pro victory in great style today, winning the fourth stage of the Tour de l’Avenir in Metz, France.
The second-year professional went clear early on in a break and build up a six-minute lead on the main bunch, then pressed on with three others on the final run in to the line. He played things perfectly in the final kilometre to win the stage and, equally importantly, took over the race leader's jersey.
He is is now 29 seconds clear in the overall classification. Roche is uncertain of his chances of holding on to yellow as there are some tough mountain stages to go and his team-mate is seen as a better climber.
He said: 'Whatever happens over the next few days, I am very happy to get this stage win.'
The Tour de l'Avenir has been won in the past by riders such as Greg LeMond, Charly Mottet and Denis Menchov and is regarded as a predictor of top-level success in the sport.
As the name translates, it is an unofficial Tour de France for future riders and as such is limited to those 26 years of age and younger. Roche is just 22-years-old.
