Paul Lapeira
" The team did a good job ".
"I went out in a breakaway with around thirty riders including, at one point, up to five riders DECATHLON AG2R LA MONDIALE. Geoffrey (Bouchard) worked very hard to keep the team in this good situation. On the last lap of the circuit, four of us went out with Marc Hirschi, Romain Grégoire and Alex Aranburu, and we went all the way together. I knew they were fast in the sprint. I tried to surprise them, but I started a bit wide and Marc Hirschi was able to take my wheel and pass me in the final. I tried something rather optimistic, but I have no regrets, because to win, you have to try, that's the game. But overall I'm happy with the day, the team did a great job."
The news
Antoine L'Hote wins Paris-Tours Espoirs
Ahead of the elite race, Antoine L'Hote, from DECATHLON AG2R LA MONDIALE Development, won Paris-Tours Espoirs solo: "I'm very happy, it's a well-known race for U23s and it's a great opportunity to race before the professionals. Winning in the rain gives you the impression of winning a warrior's race, so I'm even happier with my victory. I didn't expect to win the Tour d'Eure-et-Loir last weekend, let alone Paris-Tours Espoirs, especially as I knew it was a random race with gravel. It's huge, I've got to make the most of it. "
81
The number
Edvald Boasson Hagen scored 81 victories in his career, which came to an end today at Paris-Tours: " It was a wet and difficult race, but I'm happy to have finished it without any crashes. It was also a beautiful day; I appreciated all the words from riders in the peloton about my career. These are beautiful moments to remember. "