The one we call the “TGV from Clermont-Ferrand” passed through Dun-le-Palestel station (Creuse) to win the Criterium this Saturday, July 6. Rémi Cavagna, 26, of the Quick Step dominated the night race, and beaten in the sprint Pierre Rolland of B&B Hotel KTM and the German Simon Geschke of Cofidis.
popular fervor
The back straight was played out under the lights of the streetlamps. A little over forty laps of 1.5km each, in the alleys of Dun-le-Palestel, for an arrival at 10:30 p.m., to the applause of the public. “It always feels good to run with all these supporters, I have done criteriums, and I had never seen this popular enthusiasm“, smiles Rémi Cavagna between two autographs, before continuing, I find it superb that people gather like that in the evening.”
Same impression for the second in the race, Pierre Rolland : “It’s contact with the public, there’s no pressure, there are a lot fewer issues than in July, with the Tour de France. This is an opportunity to have a good time.” A proximity that cycling enthusiasts have come to seek. “At the Criterium, we see the riders longer, it’s almost better than the Tour de France“, comments Bernard. A little further, David has done about fifty kilometers to “come see the pros come to us, it’s a chance!”
The event is in full recovery after two editions marked by the Covid-19 epidemic. Even if the public is back, we are still far from the 10,000 people who traveled before the health crisis.