Sylvain Chavanel (IAM) has confirmed his status as the best French time triallist by winning the national championships for the third year in a row. On a 47.8km course in Futuroscope, he beat Anthony Roux (FDJ) by a narrow 17-second margin while Maxime Bouet (Ag2r) was a distant third at 1.17.

For many years, Sylvain Chavenel was a solid time triallist but back problems prevented him from performing to the maximum of his capabilities. Three years ago an operation solved the problem and since then he has been in a class of his own when it comes to time trialling in France.

In 2012 he took his first French time trial championships win since 2008 when he beat Jeremy Roy by 13 seconds while last year he defended his title, crushing the opposition by beating all his rivals by more than 2 minutes. Today he made it three in a row when he was the fastest on the 47.8km course in Futuroscope.

As the defending champion, Chavanel was the final rider down the ramp but unlike last year it was a close fight for the title. At the first check, he had put 27 seconds into Anthony Roux and at the second split he had extended his advantage by 2 seconds.

However, Roux had finished his race strongly and at the finish, Chavanel was only 17 seconds faster than his rival. Roux took second after having led the stage for most of the day while Maxime Bouet took his first ever podium in the TT championships.

Jeremy Roy who had finished second twice in a row could only manage sixth behind Tour de France contenders Jean-Christophe Peraud and Jerome Coppel.

After a lot of amateaur and continental riders had done their rides, Jerome Cousin (Europcar) was the first ProTeam rider to start. However, it was Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r) who set the best time but he was beaten by Roux just moments later. Roux occupied the hot seat all day until the final rider, Chavanel, narrowly beat him.

Chavanel will try to make the double when he lines up at Sunday's road race championships which is expected to suit the sprinters.

Result:

1. Sylvain Chavanel 57.54

2. Anthony Roux +0.17

3. Maxime Bouet +1.17

4. Jean-Christophe Peraud +1.37

5. Jerome Coppel +1.40

6. Jeremy Roy +1.41

7. Johan Le Bon +1.50

8. Stephane Rossetto +1.54

9. Alexandre Geniez +2.04

10. Alexis Gougeard +2.12