French Road Championship – Rémi Cavagna wins a 2nd time trial title

We were expecting a three-way duel, we quickly had a lone rider. Irresistible on the flat as in the hilly part, Rémi Cavagna largely dominated the time trial of the French championships in Cassel. The Soudal-Quick Step rider beat Bruno Amirail (Groupama-FDJ, + 32”) and Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies, + 1’12”) to regain his title, three years later. Best time at each intermediate, Cavagna did not collapse in the final, he for whom this was the weak point, to afford his third title of champion of France (sacred online in 2021). The amateur title went to Mathias Ribeiro da Cruz (Laval Cyclisme 53).

Holder of the title, Bruno Armirail dreamed of keeping it and believed in it for a little over 17.5 kilometers. Time for Rémi Cavagna to move up a gear and disgust the rider of Groupama-FDJ. Starting cautiously so as not to make mistakes on the winding roads of Hazebrouck, the rider of the Soudal-Quick Step then demonstrated his qualities as a rider on the long straights and the balance of power was reversed between the ‘Auvergnat and the Pyrenean. At the same time after 7.5km, Cavagna then continued to widen the gap, with a lead of 3” after 17.5km and 12” after 25km. Above all, he knew how to keep some for the final.

Ribeiro da Cruz, surprise of the day among amateurs

Very hilly, with in particular a very complicated last kilometer with slopes of more than 10%, the final portion favored Armirail on paper, the best theoretical climber. But the Groupama-FDJ rider weakened and was unable to fight with Rémi Cavagna, who won his second title of French time trial champion, after that won in 2020. A French champion jersey that he should to be able to show off on the next Tour de France, like three years ago. Armirail adorns himself with the silver medal (+ 32”), while Pierre Latour completes the podium (+ 1’12”).

The TotalEnergies rider managed his time well before finishing very strong to overthrow Benjamin Thomas (4th, +1’15”) in the last kilometer. A fine performance also for Jérémy Cabot (TotalEnergies), who took 5th place (+1’33”), somewhat surprisingly. But the real surprise of the day is the title among amateurs of Mathias Ribeiro da Cruz, author of the 10th time of the day (+ 2’18”). The Laval Cyclisme 53 rider set a huge time to claim the title, ahead of the Morbihan Fybolia duo, Baptiste Gillet (+ 27”) and the favorite Yoann Paillot (+ 40”).