Bretagne proved that they deserved their wildcard for Paris-Roubaix when the French pro continental team put two riders in the early 8-rider breakaway. After bad luck had taken Clement Koretzky out, Benit Jarrier gave the team plenty of time in the spotlight on the biggest scene.

Bretagne-Seche Environnement were never expected to play a dominant role in the finale of Paris-Roubaix and so the team had to play its cards a bit earlier to prove them worthy of their invitation. They did so when both Benoit Jarrier and Clement Koretzky made it into the early 8-rider breakaway.

For Koretzky, it was the second year in a row in the early Paris-Roubaix move but this year he had less luck than he had 12 months ago. While riding comfortably on the front on the infamous Arenberg sector, he suffered a punctured, leaving it to Jarrier to defend the team's chances.

He did so by putting in a great ride until he was finall caught 61km from the finish and he was pleased with his day.

"At the briefing last night, Manu [Hubert, sports director] asked who wanted to be in the break and I said that I wanted to try," he said. "The guys agreed. I was in an earlier move but we were quickly caught It was a fight for around 25 kilometers before iwe finally took off. Once I was in the front, I had the legs to pass the cobbles in a good way. Being two team riders was also an advantage.

"I never expected that we would stay away. Eight riders was the ideal scenario. I thought we could go far. Unfortunately, in Arenberg it was carnage, there were many punctures. We ended up with four riders, then three. There, with headwind, and just three guys, we had to take short turns. That cost us a lot of energy.

"I really enjoyed todat. This is the first Paris-Roubaix I have been in the break. There were a lot of people. I have often heard "Go Benoit, Go Bretagne." I was surprised, it was very encouraging. I did not expect that. It's always fun, especially since we are in the North of France, not in our region.

 
"Over the years I will try to improve. In the coming years, the goal would be to make a top 20. That would be great, it is not possible for everyone. Now I will try to recover to hope to do something in Tro Bro Léon, a race that is also unique. Before that I will do Grand Prix Denain, where I have the role of being a teammate."

"Last year I entered Arenberg in fourth position," Koretzky said. "This year I wanted to take the lead. I wanted to perform well, especially since we were two team riders in the group. We were well represented. I wanted to do my best. 

"Unfortunately, I punctured twice in this sector. And after Arenberg, just before the next sector I crashed in a turn. There was some sand and I took a tumble. I was not the only one, though. Inevitably, there is a feeling of sadness. It's like this. This is cycling. But we still had Benoit in the front. And I also heard that Brice [Feillu} was well-placed, so I was happy."

Despite being known as a climber, Brice Feillu put in a solid performance to take 48th.

"I haven't done Paris-Roubaix since 2009, when I finished the race despite some mishaps," he said. "Today, I have not been spared: two punctures and I was held up behind a few crashes without going down myself. But I think that's the same for everyone. 

"I am not a man for Paris-Roubaix but I enjoyed myself. The cobblestones were pretty good, I did quite well on these sectors. The weather conditions were ideal. If it was wet, I would have taken less risk."

"Having a rider in the break was already good, but it was unexpected to have two," manager Manu Hubert said. "Fortunately, we had two riders in the front. Clement had no chance and crahed after puncturing at the end of Arenberg. Benoit was there to continue the break. 

"To know the cobbles was really important. We had to give ourselves the chance to do so and that's what we did on Thursday and Friday. Because it is important to know where to ride etc. Now, with a good recovery, Benoit can hope to do a good Tro Bro Leon."