The Tour de Vendée is a classic flat one-day race of just under 200 kilometres, rolling from Saint-Jean-d'Hermine to the Atlantic coast finish at Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. With no significant climbing on the menu, the race is tailor-made for fast finishers and well-drilled sprint trains. Autumn winds off the Atlantic coast can play a decisive role in splitting the peloton or shaping the final sprint.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Giovanni Lonardi is the form horse of this race. His win in stage 1 of the Arctic Race of Norway is backed by a string of top-5 finishes on flat terrain, and he arrives as the most consistently productive sprinter in a comparable field over the past 90 days. Polti's squad will be motivated to deliver him to the line in the best possible position.
Polti
Polti
Giovanni Lonardi enters as the clear favourite, having won stage 1 of the Arctic Race of Norway recently while also collecting four top-5 finishes in similar-profile races. He pairs that excellent recent form with one of the strongest sprint ratings in this field.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Jason Tesson and Rasmus Søjberg Pedersen are both race-winners on terrain like this in recent weeks, giving them a significant edge over rivals relying on raw statistics alone. Tesson's local knowledge from his Tour Poitou-Charentes win could prove invaluable on these Atlantic roads, while Pedersen's Tour of Denmark stage victory shows he can close out fast finishes under pressure.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Jason Tesson is a serious threat, having taken victory in stage 2 of the Tour Poitou-Charentes — a race run on home turf in this very region — alongside six top-10 finishes in similar-profile events. His form in flat finishes is as relevant as it gets for this race.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Rasmus Søjberg Pedersen has been in excellent shape, winning stage 5 of the Tour of Denmark recently and backing that up with two top-5 finishes in comparable races. His well-rounded profile and strong sprint make him a genuine podium threat.
★★
Dark Horses
Bryan Coquard, Paul Penhoët and Emilien Jeannière form a trio of strong-team sprinters capable of winning if the race unfolds cleanly. Coquard's recent top-3 form proves he has not lost his finishing punch, Penhoët has the Groupama-FDJ machine behind him, and Jeannière leads a TotalEnergies roster stacked with flat-finish specialists — giving all three real chances if their respective lead-outs execute.
Cofidis
Cofidis
Bryan Coquard is a seasoned French sprinter who has logged a top-3 and a top-5 in similar-profile races recently, demonstrating he retains the finishing speed to mix it at this level. A typically well-organised Cofidis lead-out could give him the platform to contest the bunch kick.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Emilien Jeannière leads TotalEnergies' sprint ambitions and possesses one of the sharpest sprint profiles in the entire startlist. Although he lacks a recent win in comparable races, his team boasts multiple fast finishers who can drive tempo and set him up perfectly.
Groupama-FDJ
Groupama-FDJ
Paul Penhoët has been competitive in flat finishes lately, posting a top-3 and a top-5 in similar races. The Groupama-FDJ setup gives him reliable support and he carries one of the higher sprint ratings among the French contingent.
★
Ones to Watch
Alexis Renard and Jenthe Biermans add depth to the Cofidis sprint roster and either could step into a leadership role under the right circumstances. Paul Hennequin has quietly assembled the most top-10 finishes of any winless rider in similar races and represents real value, while Oliver Naesen's experience and versatility make him a threat any time the sprint does not go to plan for the favourites.
Cofidis
Cofidis
Alexis Renard has managed a top-5 in a similar-profile race recently and is well-suited to flat, bunch-sprint finishes. He represents a credible wildcard for Cofidis alongside Coquard.
Cofidis
Cofidis
Jenthe Biermans rounds out the Cofidis trio with a top-10 finish in a similar-profile race recently. He can play multiple roles and, if his teammates are neutralised, has the sprint to step up himself.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Oliver Naesen brings veteran experience and a strong cobbles and hills profile that can handle any late-race complications. He is a reliable danger man who can capitalise if the sprint breaks up.
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Paul Hennequin has been impressively active in similar races, collecting a top-3 and five top-10 finishes without yet breaking through for a win. A consistent operator who could surprise at the line if the sprint fragments.
Verdict
Giovanni Lonardi is the standout favourite on the strength of his recent stage win and consistent form in identical race profiles, with Jason Tesson — a proven winner in this very region — and Rasmus Søjberg Pedersen as the most dangerous challengers.