The 85th edition of the Paris-Camembert race was very lively on Wednesday, with a peloton often split into several groups due to numerous borders linked to a side wind throughout the day, between Magnanville in Yvelines and Livarot Pays d’ Trough in Normandy. In addition, a massive crash shortly after halfway forced the organizers to neutralize the race for several minutes. A new start was given at the 125th kilometer of this sixth round of the Coupe de France.
Ewen Costiou still too short
At the end of the 205.6 kilometers of racing, Benoît Cosnefroy (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) finally won in the sprint ahead of Clément Venturini (Arkéa-BB Hotels) and Alexandre Delettre (St-Michel-Mavic-Auber 93). Ewen Costiou (Arkéa-BB Hotels), who finished second last year, first took control of the race around fifty kilometers from the finish, notably on the Cavée de Crouttes hill. Then around ten kilometers further, the rider from Arkéa-BB Hotels let go of Morne Van Niekerk to open the path to victory alone.
But the Breton, who had a lead of up to 40 seconds, was finally caught in the last difficulty of the day, the Butte des Fondits, less than ten kilometers from the finish. Eight riders competed for the final victory. Benoît Cosnefroy succeeds Valentin Ferron. Since the Spaniard Alejandro Valverde in 2008, the race has always been won by a Frenchman. Dorian Godon being the only one to have achieved the double (2020 and 2021) for forty years.
Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R la Mondiale), who did not take part in the race, remains leader of the Coupe de France with 103 points. His runner-up, Jason Tesson (TotalEnergies) did not benefit from it. He was forced to retire before the end of the first loop following the massive fall in the peloton.
