Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) convincingly defended his French time trial crown today as he put more than two minutes into his nearest challenger Jeremy Roy (FDJ). The win was his fifth ever at the event and proves that he is ready to play a key role in the Tour de France.

Sylvain Chavanel has always been a talented time triallist, winning his national title in the discipline in 2005, 2006 and 2008. However, back problems made it impossible for him to benefit maximally form his strength until his woes were finally solved prior to last season.

Since then the Frenchman has developed into one of the very best time triallists in the world, performing particularly well at last year's Tour de France. Today he once again proved his immense improvement as he took his second consecutive win at the French time trial championships.

On a 45,5km course, he put no less than 2.01 into Jeremy Roy (FDJ) who - like last year - was his nearest challenger. Roy's young teammate Johan Le Bon (FDJ) once again underlined that he is a man to look out for in the future as he was only beaten by Roy into 3rd by 19 seconds.

Two of the French GC hopes for the Tour de France, Jerome Coppel (Cofidis) and Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r), finished 4th and 6th respectively while Sandy Casar (FDJ) proved that he has recovered from his Giro crash by taking a solid 5th place. On a similar note, FDJ climber Alexandre Geniez was a positive surprise in 7th.

On the other hand, Anthony Roux (FDJ) and Damien Gaudien (Europcar) delivered below-par performances to finish 14th and 17th respectively. Like most of the other French professionals they well get a chance for revenge on Sunday when the road race is held on a tricky course containing many of the gravel sections known from the Tro-Bro Leon semi-classic.

Result:

1. Sylvain Chavanel 56.48

2. Jeremy Roy +2.01

3. Johan Le Bon +2.20

4. Jerome Coppel +2.32

5. Sandy Casar +2.34

6. Jean-Christophe Peraud +2.40

7. Alexandre Geniez +2.53

8. Arnaud Gerard +3.14

9. Maxime Bouet +3.18

10. Sebastien Turgot +3.27