Racing over 200 kilometers, la Route Adélie gave the sprinters a chance to show their strength in the final straight.  In this race where 29 riders separated themselves from the pack with 35 kilometers to go, Bryan Coquard (Europcar) proved himself to be the fastest of the bunch. 

 

On the course which takes two loops around the area of Vitré, IAM Cycling put up a good fight.  Both Jonathan Fumeaux and Sébastien Reichenbach placed just inside the top 15 being well positioned in the front group; they each put in a performance that comes with a certain symbolic value. 

 

IAM Cycling directeur sportif, Rubens Bertogliati welcomed the aggressive display the two Swiss riders put on, without dwelling on the misfortune the team faced during the race. 

 

“Jonathan and Sébastien performed well all day, from the start.  They managed to integrate into the group that started the final attacks, truly proving their good form.  For the next race they will be even better.  Faced in the final with pure sprinters, they had no chance for a victory. 

 

"For this race we weren’t bad at all, which is why it is a shame that Larsson and Hollenstein crashed when they did.  Even if they did not suffer injuries, getting a change of bike in time to remain with the pack was just not possible.  And as for Matteo Pelucchi, he was simply poorly positioned and missed the split at the decisive moment.”     

 

Jonathan Fumeaux explained why the team came away without a podium for the day:

 

“When you’re racing a Coupe de France event, you have to be very careful.  I gave too much too early so didn’t have enough left in the finale.  But I’m happy with my day. 

 

"Ever since racing La Marseillaise, I have been able to get good results.  One of these days I’ll translate that into a victory.” 

 

Meanwhile, Sébastien Reichenbach could not shake the vigilant sprinters from his wheel. 

 

“Right now I feel great.  I jumped into a breakaway early in the race, and I stayed attentive all the time.  I even tried to get away on the final climb, which was necessary since there were still so many sprinters around.  But Europcar shut down my attempt to win solo.  There will be more opportunities to come.”