D-1: Paris-Tours News

May 7 ^th 2018 - 17:57

PARIS-TOURS COMING BACK TO BASICS
Set just one week before the Doha World Championship, the 2016 edition of Paris-Tours had seen its route amputated from the two difficulties usually livening up its final 10 kilometres. As Cédric Coutouly, one of the race directors explains, the route had been modified in order to suit sprinters preparing for the big day: « The 2016 World race was drawn for a massive sprint finish. One week before completion day, we wanted to incite the favourites to come and have a dress rehearsal before flying to Qatar ».
This year, the hills of Beau Soleil and Epan are making a comeback, respectively located 9.5 and 7.5 kilometres from the finish line and it may well trouble the plans of the Gaviria, Greipel and other Cavendish. Frederic Guesdon, last French rider to grab the bouquet in 2006, went for success in this very same hill of L’Epan: « As I was riding at the front within the early breakaway, I decided to run out on my 3 mates in the hill of L’Epan. I could feel I had the legs to spice up the race and the peloton never saw me again. These two hills are ideally located and can spring a surprise, for the rider who will be able to foil the sprinters’ plans ».

FRENCH RIDERS SEEKING VICTORY
Four times on the podium, never on the first spot. Since 2006 and Guesdon’s victory, no Frenchman ever managed to triumph again in Tours. What if 2017 was time for revenge?
As for the sprinters, Team Cofidis is lining up an expert in the subject in the person of Nacer Bouhanni. France vice-champion, 7-times winner this season, the leader will start on Sunday, as assures team manager Yvon Sanquer, with the firm intention of claiming victory: « Paris-Tours is one big goal for us, we will do everything in our power to grab one last prestigious victory there. The squad has tasted success lately and the route is ideal, even if the two hills in the finish will make the race harder to control ».
Ag2r La Mondiale Team, run on Sunday by Stéphane Goubert, is betting on a surprise: « Rudy Barbier is on point, comforted by a solid victory last Thursday on Paris-Bourges. On this type of race, sprinters always tend to rule the roost but aggressive riders can also prevail. We appeared very offensive these last weeks and we will keep on in this state of mind. Paris-Tours holds good surprises in store and we will make the most of this last chance ».

LAST CHANCE TO SHINE
With its 234.5 kilometres, Paris-Tours is one of the most prestigious Classic on the agenda. It is also for most of the riders the ultimate opportunity to show themselves before bringing the 2017 season to a close or before leaving for new adventures, just like Matteo Trentin, Quick Step Floors Paris-Tours 2015 winner and heading towards Orica-Scott Team in a few. Brian Holm, sports director in his actual team, firmly believes in one last stunt from his champion: « Two years ago, Matteo got to win the fastest edition ever. He proved it through the last Vuelta (winning 4 stages), he is in excellent shape and will definitely be one to defeat on Sunday ». Should the race end on a massive sprint or on a surprise attack, Quick Step Floors is pre-empting all the storylines and wants to get the hat-trick: « As the saying goes, good things always come in threes! We got the two previous editions and I won’t lie, we will be at the start on Sunday to win Paris-Tours. With the two last winners enrolled, we have the ace-cards we need to respond to any race proceeding. Other teams will have a close eye on us but we will give all we have to end on a high note ».

PARIS-TOURS ESPOIRS: THE 75th
If Paris-Tours is surely one of the major classic on the professional agenda, this also holds true for the amateur peloton. Indeed, the best French and International ‘Espoirs’ riders will stand tomorrow in Bonneval at the start of the 75th Paris-Tours Espoirs. The race, slightly shorter than the Elite’s, with 187.5 kilometres, will follow the same finish route. The worthy successor of Dutch Arvid De Kleijn (Baby-Dump CyclingTeam), winner in 2016, will cross the line on Grammont avenue a few hours before the pros.

« THE PARIS-TOURS KM », REVEALING TOMORROW’S SPRINT TALENTS
Ahead of the Espoirs and Elite races, the Grammont avenue will host the champions of tomorrow for the 23rd « Paris-Tours kilometre ». Reserved for French ‘Cadets’ and ‘Junior’ riders, the race will be played as a speed tournament, along the 800 meters of the finish of Paris-Tours. On the prize list, names like Arnaud Tournant (track Olympic champion) and a well-known Bryan Coquard...