Alexis Vuillermoz (Ag2r) confirmed that he is destined for a big future when he powered clear to take a dominant win in the uphill sprint at the end of the GP de Plumelec. The Frenchman put 5 seconds into defending champion Julien Simon (Cofidis) and Pierrick Fedrigo (Bretagne) after his team had controlled the race all day.

Coming from the sport of mountain bike, Alexis Vuillermoz has decided to try his hand on the road and the first part of his time on the tarmac has been hugely promising. The Frenchman got a big breakthrough in 2014 when he finished 11th in the Giro d’Italia despite working in a support role for Domenico Pozzovivo.

Later in his first year at the WorldTour level he confirmed his potential when he won a stage of the Tour de Gevaudan and this year he again underlined his punchy climbing skills in the spring. He finished 14th in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and 6th in the Fleche Wallonne.

The latter result proves how strong the talented Frenchman is in uphill sprints on short, steep ramps and so he was one to watch in today’s Coupe de France race GP de Plumelec which finishes with a very tough climb in the lumpy Breton terrain. The race has been dominated by puncheurs and so is perfectly suited to Vuillermoz’ characteristics.

However, Vuillermoz was expected to play a support role for Samuel Dumoulin who was targeting the race and the Ag2r team worked hard all day to bring everything together for an uphill sprint. They brought back an early break and tried to control the many attacks that were launched at the midpoint of the race. In the end, Vuillermoz turned out to be faster than his captain and took his first win of the season.

"After a difficult race, Jean-Baptiste Quiclet had warned us that we could be attacked by lesser known riders who are in peak shape," he said. "We decided to take the race in hand. Sam Dumoulin was the protected rider and I was the back-up plan.

"The AG2R La Mondiale team rode well. Damien Gaudin did a great job in the finale.  Romain Bardet positioned me well with 800m to go. Sam suffered from cramps and intelligently made ​​a gap. I took the opportunity. 

"I am happy to win a hard race in Plumelec where the public is passionate about cycling. This victory confirms the fact that I have a burst of speed to the punchy finales although I am also a climber. This gives me the moral for the Dauphiné and the Tour."

"I did an altitude training camp for 15 days with the AG2R La Mondiale team. It was very hard, very intensive. We know that when we go to such a camp, we get a drop in shape for 2-3 days. I think I am there right now and I expect that the days will be complicated for me.

"Nevertheless, what we are looking for is the rebound effect that comes after 10 days. In theory, this leads to a second peak form and I hope to enjoy that in the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour de France.

"I won a stage in the Tour of Gevaudan last year. Today is my first win in a one-day race, obviously it's nice.

"Damien Gaudin put us into position under the flamme rouge. Romain Bardet did a lot of work until the 800m to go mark. Then I led out Samuel who was the leader. But he had cramps with 600 meters to go so he made a gap.

"I tried my luck from the distance. Julien Simon, Pierrick Fedrigo and Bryan Coquard have hesitated a bit about making the effort to return to me. Nobody worked for them and they could not close the gap.

"I was cooked after a few laps but I knew I still had a reserve of energy. I launched my sprint 300-400 meters from the line and 150 meters from the finish I saw that nobody came back. Then I realized that it was good.

"I was able to enjoy it a little but I gave everything to the end. Such opportunities do not occur so often. I did not want to miss my chance.
It's a shame for Julien who could have won it for a third time. He is a great rider from whom I learned a lot at Sojasun, so it is a pride to be with him on the podium. I do not forget Pierrick who has won big races. I watched him on TV when I was a kid.

"My Giro d'Italia in 2014 where I finished just outside the top 10, was unimaginable when I started road cycling. Certainly it allowed me to get a lot of confidence.

"Normally I'm better on climbs for puncheurs likein Fleche Wallonne. I like the short, steep climbs. I am more comfortable on the steepest gradients. I know I have a good top speed compared to my weight. I'm pretty explosive but in long sprints on less steep roads, I'm worse.

I do not know how to fight for position like a sprinter. I need a harder race where there are fewer people in the finale so I can start my sprint in good conditions. By doing my effort in the hard part and with a tailwind, I was able to go to the finish.

"I am beginning to finally be seen as a road rider, at least I hope so. This is what I aspire to be. I have many friends and good memories from mountain biking but now I devote myself fully to the road bike.

"For three years, I have been fully committed and I have had the chance to progress continuously."