Despite some early setbacks, Arnaud Demare yesterday’s participation in the Paris-Roubaix marked his best ever result obtained in cycling’s monument, as the 22-year old sprinter finished twelfth being not only the best FDJ.fr rider, but the best Frenchman in the event.

Demare finished ninetieth in his Paris-Roubaix debut last years and line up at the Hell of the North this season with ambitions to stay with the favorites as long as possible.

Even though the FDJ.fr rider, supported by his team-mate Mickael Delage, was forced to chase the shattered peloton after suffering two punctures, he still managed to make it back and eventually sprinted for a victory in the second group finishing 47 seconds behind Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-Quick Step).

"My goal is to gain experience and stay in contact as best I can and for as long as possible with the strongest riders, people like Cancellara and Boonen," Démare said.

"I'll fight to stay up there for as long as I can."

Enjoying the company of the likes of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Bjorn Leukemans (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) or Sebastien Turgot (Ag2R La Mondiale), Demare arguably reached his objective. Thus, the young Frenchman couldn’t hide his satisfaction with yet another promising performance in the cobbled classics this season, following his runner-up spots claimed at the Gent-Wavelgem and Driedaagse De Panne second stage.

"It was a great experience," Démare said after finishing the race.

"I always remained in contact with the best, always in the top 30. I felt that the [Camphin] sector would be decisive, which I anticipated.

"Then I thought my group would get organised but, I was probably the only one to believe [it would]."

In the end, the 22-year old Frenchman was unable to rejoin the front group and sprint for a podium in his Paris-Roubaix second appearance, but yesterday’s performance provided him with very positive sensations in regards to his future in the Hell of the North.

"I finished in twelfth place but it is with a feeling that I didn't give it my all. I can just say that I gained confidence for the next edition."