Jerome Coppel created a major surprise when he finished third in yesterday's World TT Championships. The result caps a stellar year that also saw him claim the French TT title.

"I'm really happy with this bronze medal," Coppel told Directvelo. "I think I was in an exceptional day. I had my best sensations of the season in this race. I had everything on my side, and the bonus of luck. Everything worked. It was the right day.

"This is indeed a result that is beyond my expectations. I would have been content with a place in the top ten. This medal is unexpected even though I knew it was perhaps this year or never due to the absence of Cancellara and Wiggins. This is a great day for France and for me.
 
"It's huge. I already had the opportunity to win two medals when I was U23 rider. But being medalist among the professionals is something totally different. Let us not forget that France has been waiting for such a moment since 1997. I am therefore very proud to have been able to take third place.

"It is the best result of my career. Furthermore, I had a weird season this year. I was always having bad luck, but there was always a positive event later. Indeed, I had to return to the top after my broken hand. Then I could win the shirt the French TT title. Then I was sick during the Tour de France. I had a setback and now I pick up this bronze medal.
 
"I immediately felt that I was having a good day. But I was afraid to go too fast. But I still decided to go for it from the start. I told myself that if I cracked, I would at least have tried. I managed to hold it until the finish. What was the most difficult to manage was the distance. But I had my best sensations throughout the year. It really was an exceptional day. 
 
"I thought about the podium when I crossed the finish line. I knew from the radio that I was always one of the first three or four at the intermediate checks. But you never know how the other riders will finish. I was still afraid of Castroviejo who eventually ended two seconds behind me.

"I can only thank my IAM team. It is the team that actually allowed me to really work in the discipline this season. IAM also allowed me to leave the Vuelta a few days earlier to prepare for these World Championships. And my participation in the team time trial allowed me to unlock the legs. 
 
"There is only one event in my program, the Tour of Lombardy. It's always good to end the season like this. Nevertheless, I feel I am worn out, especially mentally. Now this medal give me new motivation and I hope I may still be able to aim higher in the coming years."

The second French rider was Romain Sicard who finished 46th.

"The time trial did not go very well for me. I was not at my best. I can not say that I did a good TT, but there are no regrets. I fought as much as possible, but the course was still quite difficult. It is first very long and so one goes very far in the effort. It was also necessary to be focused all the time. There was no place where you could relax a little. The rhythm changes were frequent. You could not panic and had to try to keep a steady tempo, but it was not easy," he told Directvelo.