After years of working in service of others, Jan Ghyselinck finally took his first professional victory when he won yesterday's La Polynormande. Being out of contract at the end of the season, the Belgian hopes that the win will boost his career.

In his first five years as a professional, Jan Ghyselinck has mostly been known a tireless domestique but today he finally got the chance to be in the spotlight when he won the 12th round of the Coupe de France, La Polynormande. The Belgian used strength and tactical savvy to come out on top from a 14-rider group that dominated the race.

In the end, he escaped with Antoine Duchesne and after the pair had worked together for a few kilometres, he dropped his Canadian companion and managed to hold off his chasers to take his first professional victory. Duchesne held on to second while Quentin Jauregui (Roubaix) won the sprint for third.

"This is my first victory in the professional ranks, in a five-year career," he told Directvelo. "It's beautiful. I attacked 5-6 kilometers from the finish. The fact that Antoine Duchesne rejoined me, was a big advantage. I was so spent when I crossed the line that I didn't think about anyone, not even my family. 

"It is a great satisfaction. Previously, I was in big teams. I had a domestique role. It was so difficult to win. My Wanty contract will expire at the end of the season. It is a very good thing to get a result. I hope it will boost my career. 

"Now I will do the Tour of Denmark, the Classic de l'Indre, the Tour du Poitou-Charentes and perhaps the Grand Prix de Plouay. "