Second consecutive victory for Arnaud Démare on Paris-Tours. The Groupama-FDJ sprinter raised his arms on avenue de Grammont. The winner highlights the work of his training, “a great team race“, in particular thanks to his teammates Olivier Le Gac, caught 1km from the finish and the Swiss Stefan Küng, who launched the Beauvaisien perfectly.
Since the change of course in 2018, this is the first time that the peloton has presented itself so grouped at the finish line, “I had not planned a finish of this style at all with 40 runners“, specifies Arnaud Démare. Clearly, the suspense was present until the end.
A victory that feels good
Since the beginning of August, the sprinter has obtained seven second places. The victory over Paris-Tours allows him to conclude his season perfectly. “If there was one to win, it was this one“, rejoices the sprinter. With this second victory, the hilly course of the vineyard paths seems to suit Arnaud Démare.
On the finish line, the Frenchman is ahead of Belgian Edward Theuns of Trek-Segafredo and Irishman Sam Bennett of Bora-Hansgrohe.
This “classic of dead leaves” was the last for Touraine Cyril Lemoine who came 73rd in the race. He will end his career after Paris-Roubaix on April 9.