Van Staeyen triumphs in Etoile des Besseges opener

The Belgian held off Frederique Robert of Lotto-Belisol and Justin Jules of La Pomme Marseille in the race to the line in Beaucaire.

The 24-year-old Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise rider has not won a stage since 2011, but now holds the lead of the five-day race.

The race continues with a 157km route from Nimes to Allegre les Fumades.