The Santos Tour Down Under definitely succeeded very well in Bryan Coquard. While he had been seeking his first WorldTour success in this same race in 2022, the Frenchman of the team You trust raised his arms again in Australia this Friday, during this 4th stage. Passing the last difficulty of the day with the bulk of the peloton, “The Rooster” then settled the sprint with a short head in front Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious). On arrival, he spoke at the microphone of Cyclism’Actu.
Video – Bryan Coquard at the microphone of Jean-François Quénet
“Very happy to have raised my arms”
Second victory on the Tour Down Under, did you come specifically for this stage, was it the one that suited you best?
I think it was clearly the one that was best for me, I had done it two years ago, I knew that it was within my ropes, that I could pass with the majority of the peloton. I was hoping for the platoon to be as small as possible and for me to be there. Sam Welsford was above the rest in the first two sprints, with my size it’s difficult to compete against him and beat me in flat sprints, but I knew that today was good, we managed the day well, I did a nice sprint at the end, I’m really very happy with this victory, it’s a good start to the season. Last year we waited for the Giro to win with Benjamin Thomas, now it’s a little earlier. Last year too I had been thinking about victory for a long time and today it’s already done, I’ve already raised my arms, the season has started.
Was it worth coming back?
Yes, that was the goal, we know that I am always good at the start of the year, and I love this atmosphere, this atmosphere here in Australia, I feel good and I am still very satisfied and very happy to having raised your arms today.
“The track? I think it’s paying off”
And was it worth it to have obtained a title of French champion on the track before, for the confidence, for the speed?
It wasn’t confidence, clearly I was really going there to work and I think it’s paying off. It’s a very nice school and I think that the intensities that I did at the beginning of January on the Budiak track, I couldn’t have done them outside at such intensity and today I think that it helped me served. It adds a little punch, a little leg speed we’ll say, and explosiveness, and also a lot of pleasure and freshness.
-And here in Australia, does the track speak? There are great champions…
There are often Olympic champions, it’s really a great track country, I’ve done a few World Cups here and a World Championship, in Melbourne I remember, so it’s super, super happy.
“I think I’ve done my part.”
Now that we have another WorldTour victory under our belt, is the next step a one-day race or is it the first step in a Grand Tour?
I am focused on Australia, tomorrow there will be Willunga Hill, it is not for me but I will try to help my two leaders, Jesus (Herrada) and Ion (Izagirre), as best as possible. Ion was with me in the finale today, he did a good job, I will try to return the favor tomorrow. There will be the last day, and then after that, we know that there are the two one-day races (the Surf Coast Classic and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road race, editor’s note) which are still important in terms of points for us.
Exactly, is this an important season for Cofidis?
Very very important, we are still good, we are in the right wave, we are still in 18th place, but you are aware that this is a pivotal year where you have to start well, I think I have done my part of the work. The season is launched, we won quickly and now yes, a victory in a Grand Tour would be good. I’m doing the Tour de France again this year, so I think it’s the hardest to win.
