Hardouin and Millon win as expected

Like every year, on the last Sunday in November, the undergrowth of Grandmont Park in Tours serves as a playground for the best regional cyclo-cross riders as well as, usually, a few professional runners. But this year, there was only one at the start, Kévin Vauquelin (Arkea – B & B Hotels), and one veteran, Jonathan Hivert.

This American organized by PL Paul-Bert also marked the exit of Michel Malassenet. The one who has been the speaker of the event almost since its inception hangs up the microphone for good. He was praised as he deserved by the public.

Winter and Cornet a little short

This 46^e American did not generate any surprises, the favorites, Louis Hardouin and Simon Millon, won without discussion. The two friends from Guidon Chaletois were only caught during the first quarter of an hour of the race by Jonathan Hivert and Stanislas Cornet.

It is true that Louis Hardouin had heavy legs. The evening before, he had participated in the Course des Trois Ponts in Orléans, a 10 km walk during which the runner from Châlette gave his all. He ranked 15^e out of 3,500 starters, a more than honorable performance for a cyclist, but debilitating this Sunday. “My legs only stopped hurting after several laps of the circuit, when the muscles were very warm”confided, not surprised, Louis Hardouin.

Millon – Hardouin, on the momentum of a brilliant road season

Simon Millon was confident from the start and the land made the difference. The two men are still benefiting from the effects of a full and brilliant road season, punctuated by prestigious successes for both: Manche-Atlantique, Tour des Deux-Sèvres for Millon, a round of the Coupe de France and Paris-Vierzon for Hardouin . Time and distance worked in their favor, especially since they both have significant experience as cyclo-cross riders.

On the contrary, Jonathan Hivert, retired for two years, it is quite obvious, is sorely lacking in competition while Stanislas Cornet trains when he can. The two Corpopetrussians therefore did not have any illusions for long. At this level, there are no miracles; lack of training cannot be forgiven. Nicolas Coste, twice winner at Grandmont in the past, is in the same situation: he returned to competition this Sunday.

Kévin Vauquelin for his only cyclo-cross of the season

For Kévin Vauquelin, madly encouraged by his friends from Tours, this cyclo-cross took place under the sign of good humor « It's my first cyclo-cross of the season and it's also the last », smiled the winner of the second stage of the last Tour de France, in Bologna. The Tour de France, in fact, the Norman is particularly thinking about: “In 2025, there is a stage start in Bayeux, at home, my hometown, I hope to stand out that day. »

Cyclo-cross is also not the specialty of Blésois Victor Lebon, teammate of Kévin Vauquelin this Sunday. For him too, experience in this area will be limited to the cyclo-cross of Grandmont. In these conditions, it is obvious that the two men could not hope for better than this seventh place which was theirs at the finish.

American: 1. Louis Hardouin – Simon Millon (Guidon Châlettois), 1 h 15' 24, 2. Cornet – Hivert (US Saint-Pierre) at 46'', 3. Coste – Masset (US Saint-Pierre) at 3'16, 4. Fontaine – Tréhin (Châteauroux Métropole) at 4'43, 5. Béguin – Prieur (SV Loches) at 1 tour, 6. Blondeau – Montegani (Crossroad Tours), 7. Lebon (La Roche-sur-Yon) – Vauquelin (Arkéa), 8. Baglan – Benoist (UV Descartes), 9. Fosse – Guillot (Crossroad Tours), 10 . Garand – Rabois (Vineuil), 11. Romane Chesneau (VC Elancourt) – Clément Morichon (Team U). Limoges, 1^re mixed team, 12. Augis – Boissé (VC Lucé), 13. Gaborit Sullivan (US Saint-Pierre) – Manuella Giraud (Chauché VTT, 2^e mixed team), 14. Arrault – Lechartier (PL Paul-Bert Tours), 15. Caillon (Vineuil) – Benoit (AAJ Blois), 24 ranked teams.

Prologue access : 1. David Duluard (VS Chambraisien), 49'34, 2. Cabit (CS Chinon) at 49'', 3. Burin (US Saint-Pierre) at 1'12, 4. Retailleau (UV Descartes) at 1'46 , 5. Féréol (AS Montlouis), 6. Boudevin (AS Fondettes), 7. Gaborit St. (US Saint-Pierre) to 2'35, 8. Malassigné (AS Montlouis) at 3'56, 9. Chabert (US Saint-Pierre) at 5'07, 10. Collin (Team Vallée du Cher) … 23. Léa Fouquet (UC Joué, 1^re female).
U 19 : 1. William Lescane (UC Joué), 45'24, 2. Vidis (Brette) at 1'11''.
U17 : 1. Noa Sartis (UC Joué), 32'43, 2. Duval-Proutière (UC Joué) at 37'', 3. Bouchet (CS Chinon) at 1'34, 4. Lemaire (US Saint-Pierre), 5 . Breton (VS Monnaie) at 2'53, 6. Faurie (VS Monnaie) at 5'37.