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At the age of 31, Anthony Roux lived "his most beautiful day on a bike" by becoming champion of France at Mantes-la-Jolie. With the help of, among others, Valentin Madouas and David Gaudu, the Verdunois confirmed the taste of Groupama-FDJ for blue-white-red, while Warren Barguil (7th) and Cyril Gautier (11th) were too fair in the final.
Groupama-FDJ was the team to beat and it has largely badumed its status with a new title of road champion of France, the fifth on the last six editions. But this time, the brilliance did not come from his two leaders, the double champions of France Arthur Vichot (2013 and 2016) and Arnaud Démare (2014 and 2017), but of a loyal lieutenant, Anthony Roux. Vice-champion of France in 2011 in Saint-Omer behind Sylvain Chavanel, the second of the Boucles de l'Alder 2009 did not miss the opportunity to afford the prestigious blue-white-red tunic. 19659003] Unbridled Race
"I was not discouraged to become France's champion, but with the young people coming in, I thought I might have missed my turn. At the same time, it took some pressure off me … "In an unbridled race in which Groupama-FDJ has always been well represented (notably by the Finisterians Valentin Madouas and David Gaudu in the first big breakaway), Anthony Roux knew how to wait for his hour. Present with Warren Barguil (Fortuneo), Cyril Gautier (AG2R), Valentin Madouas, Johan Le Bon (Vital) in the group of 13 who possessed 1'43 '' ahead of the pack at the bell of the last lap, Anthony Roux managed his effort to return less than five kilometers from the finish on a group of three, composed of his teammate Rudy Molard, Johan Le Bon and Jimmy Turgis (Cofidis). "When Rudy came out, I thought," He's going to the title. " And when Julian (Alaphilippe) came back, I thought: "He will put his punch" because it's for me the best puncher in the world. I had to climb the last bump in the train to not leave too much gap and to be able to return. After that, I knew I was not losing in the sprint.
A lactic sprint
In the group of six he composed then with Rudy Molard, Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step), Anthony Turgis (Cofidis), Pierre Latour (AG2R) and Guillaume Martin (Wanty), the Verdunois knew how to speak his speed point. "I know that my qualities is to sprint from a distance, especially with a small group like that. When Anthony (Turgis) launched, it was happiness for me because it was a fulcrum. Even though he came out quickly, I went to get him. But there was still 200 meters and I still thought to see Alaphilippe jump me. It was a lactic sprint. I put all the strength I had and in the end, I did not even raise my arms, I did not realize … "Author of a very violent effort to get out of the pack and return to the Leading men, Alaphilippe, did not regret anything. "When Guillaume (Martin) wanted to anticipate the sprint in the last kilometer, I jumped into his wheel. I had not recovered too much from my effort and I was at the limit of cramps. Faced with two good sprinters like Anthony Turgis and Anthony Roux, it was difficult to do better. This is my first podium in the French professional league on a course that did not correspond to perfection and I am very happy.
"An objective, not a dream"
Anthony Roux was still wide-eyed. "It's amazing to be able to wear this jersey, because at the base, I'm not a leader. It was not a dream either, but a goal, like winning a stage in each of the great Towers. It only remains for me to do it on the Tour de France and the Giro … "And to finish on this great burst of laughter at the question of knowing if the tunic go to change something for him:" Maybe my salary … "
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