Benoît Cosnefroy (Ag2r Citroën Team) has just completed a 15-day training course at altitude in Sierra Nevada (Spain). And it’s been 32 days since the Norman runner has pinned a bib, since Liège-Bastogne-Liège: “it’s really a wish for me to come and finish my preparation here in Mayenne and at the same time to come and race. When I’m away from racing a bit too long, I miss it so I’m really happy to be here. That’s what I wanted.“
2nd in the Amstel Gold Race, beaten by a gut, 2nd in La Flèche Brabançonne, 2nd in the Circuit de la Sarthe and 3rd in the Drôme Classic, the Normand had a good start to the season but without victory. The 26-year-old Manchois hopes to finally raise his arms: “I’m not unhappy with my start to the season but there is sure to be no victory. There are some very nice podiums but I haven’t lifted my arms yet so I can’t wait. Since 2019, I had got used to raising my arms quite early in the season. This is not the case so I hope to be able to do so soon.“
The presence of a former winner of Paris-Roubaix
With the 2016 Olympic champion and former winner of Paris-Roubaix, Greg Van Avermaet alongside Benoît Cosnefroy, Ag2r Citroën comes with a strong team on paper. And its leader accepts the label of favorite: “it is certain that with my start to the season, when we arrive at Les Boucles de la Mayenne, it is with a special status and we have to perform. This pressure, I managed it well. And it is not because we are among the favorites mentioned that we will be present. But I worked well, there is no reason for it to go wrong.“
Benoit Cosnefroy can count on the support of his supporters and his family who have planned to make the trip.
After Les Boucles de la Mayenne, the puncheur will take part in the Tour de Suisse in June in order to refine his preparation for the Tour de France which will start in Copenhagen on Friday 1 July.