French Cycling Championship in the South Channel: “the race will be very tactical”

The French cycling championships take place from June 20 to 23, 2024 in the South Channel. On the routes that the runners will take, the locals are in the best position to know them. Among them, members of the Vélo-club de Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, an emblematic club in Normandy. We asked the president, Michel Boulay, to detail the route and the pitfalls to absolutely avoid.

An emblematic Normandy club, what does hosting such a race on its territory represent for a club like VC Saint-Hilaire?

Hosting the French championships on our territory is a real recognition of our work and our know-how. It’s a validation of everything we’ve been doing for cycling for years. This is also the case for VC Avranches, the other important club in the region which hosts these races.

You know these roads by heart. How is the course?

80% of it is the Polynormande circuit. A race that 99% of the peloton ran. But 3-4 kilometers have been added, notably the Côte des Biards (700m at 5% average). The false flat 2 kilometers from the finish is also very tricky. He doesn’t call out too much like that but when we go to training, we roll… we roll… and we realize that things are giving up. It’s very tricky.

Can we expect a specific racing scenario?

I think the peloton will stay together for a while. The race should take place with three laps to go (the peloton has 13 laps to go, Editor’s note) and we should see attacks on the Vallée and La Pigeonnière hills. It is possible that a group breaks away and then a lone man leaves in the last few kilometers. You will also have to be vigilant on the descents, where differences can be made.

Will it be a very tactical race?

Yes. Whoever wants to win will have to wait for the right moment and be very vigilant. Many runners can claim victory. Maybe twenty. So, you will have to be attentive to those who are aiming for victory so as not to be trapped. It’s a difficult course and you will have to overcome the bumps. But also have a good burst of speed in the event of a group arrival. Logic would dictate that a puncher is required.

Does this also apply to the women’s race which precedes the boys?

I think so. Even in the youth categories, the cadets and juniors experienced the same racing scenarios. The women’s race should set the tone. Boys would be well advised to carefully monitor what happens with girls, as there is a chance that the race scenario will repeat itself the next day. Provided the weather doesn’t change, of course.

The French championship is not a race like any other. Particularly by the imbalance between the teams. How much does this affect the race?

The FDJ and AG2R are the two flagship teams and those which will present the most riders at the start. They will have the weight of the race and can neutralize each other. Which means a guy can stay hidden for a long time and enjoy it. Julian Alaphilippe for example.

In some teams, several riders can claim victory. How to determine who will be the leader?

Fit runners know this. The pre-race briefing allows you to establish a strategy. Once on the bike, the sensations may be different and adjustments are possible. But on this course, from the first climb, fit runners will feel it.

Originally from Mortain and formerly of VC Saint-Hilaire, Paul Lapeira has exploded at the highest level this season. How do you see it?

Paul was not someone who earned too much. On the other hand, in terms of victories, he won everything that was most important. He rarely missed major meetings. In terms of his qualities, he runs the same way among the pros as he does with us. If he is in good condition, he is very strong. But he’s also a boy who can put others to sleep. He will be monitored and this can benefit his teammates like Cosnefroy, the other Manchois.

What can also be said about the time trial route which starts from Mont-Saint-Michel and which will launch these French championships?

The route becomes slightly more complicated at Saint-James. Apart from that, he is very flat and is a pure roller who should prevail. You will also have to watch the wind, because if it comes from the north, it can greatly influence the first kilometers of the route along the bay.

In the midst of these events, what can we expect for the Tricolore cyclosportive?

We have limited registrations to 1,000 people, but we should be around 600. But the weather remains the big question mark. It is not uncommon for people to cancel at the last minute if the weather is not favorable.

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