Having won the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen, Arnaud Demare confirmed his return to form after a difficult Tour de France when he won yesterday's GP Isbergues. The Frenchman now sets his sights on Paris-Tours where he finished second 12 months ago.

Arnaud Demare lined up at the Tour de France as newly crowned French champion but his debut in his home race ended as a big disappointment. After a difficult few months, the Frenchman is back in form and yesterday he won the GP Isbergues to take his second victory in three days.

"The first to ride on the front were Alexandre Geniez, Olivier Le Gac and Pierre-Henri Lecuisinier, said sports director Yvon Madiot. "They were on the front for 150 kilometers. We had no choice, we had to assume the responsbility and we did. Then Pierrick Fedrigo and Anthony Geslin took over."

"I'm really happy," Demare said. "Alexandre (Géniez) did a great job and the two young guys really know how to chase hard. It was not easy to keep the gap under two minutes. Then I have rarely had a better lead-out. Mika [Delage] and I know each other well but Seb Chavanel has found the rhythm quickly. Inside the final kilometer they were still there ... Seb led until 400 meters to go and then Mika was on the front until 150m from the line.

"Mika and I have recovered from a difficult Tour de France. We are back. Personally, I have to say I was really tired. I returned in the Tour du Limousin where the route did not suit me and then in the Vattenfall Cyclassics I ran out of luck (puncture 3 kilometers from the finish.) Then there was the Classic Brussels where I did not have the legs to win, and then the Grand Prix Fourmies.

"Now I feel that I am back. I will compete in the Circuit Franco-Belge, Paris-Bourges and Paris-Tours hoping to be in as good condition as last year. These next three weeks are going to be intense but I want to win even more with my blue-white-red jersey.

"If I'm disappointed not to do the World Championships? With the form at the end of the Tour de France, I was aware that it would be hard to be at the Worlds. Now I am more convinced that the circuit in Ponferrada could suit me."