Épinal (AFP)

Was the Alaphilippus rainbow expected after the flood?

It was finally his teammate Rémi Cavagna (Deceuninck) who emerged in the torrential rain of Epinal to afford a second tricolor jersey, a year after wearing blue-white-red in the time trial.

What revenge for the "Clermont-Ferrand TGV"!

Three days after giving up his title to Benjamin Thomas (Groupama-FDJ) on the clock, at the end of which he had modestly placed 23rd, he seized a new distinctive tunic thanks to a sharp attack on 14 km from the finish of a race that counted 242.9 in total.

"Everything went wrong Thursday, I was very disappointed. This morning I was motivated, but I really did not think" to impose myself, commented Cavagna at a press conference.

By the way, he deprived Groupama-FDJ of a resounding double, after Marc Madiot's proteges monopolized the podium during the time trial.

- "Help the team" -

On Sunday, the defending team with Arnaud Démare was content with second place, which Rudy Molard won in the sprint ahead of Damien Touzé (AG2R Citroën), already third in 2019.

"Even though I'm second, I'm still happy to have been able to play in front," explained the runner-up from Cavagna.

"We knew Rémi's finishing skills. He attacked in the right place," added Molard.

The French championships offered a very different scenario from that of last year, which saw the collective power of Groupama-FDJ rewarded with the third national title of sprinter Arnaud Démare.

The race was launched with a morning break of 13 riders, including 2019 French champion Warren Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic) and climber Pierre Rolland (BB Hotels).

# photo1

Also present within the group of fugitives, Cavagna seemed to be the ideal launching pad for Alaphilippe, especially as the peloton never allowed the gap to widen significantly.

"For me, it was really for Julian (Alaphilippe) or Florian (Sénéchal), I really wanted to help the team," confirmed the winner afterwards.

"I was allowed to go in front if there were a lot of runners, and in the end I ended up in front."

The world champion has launched a counter-offensive 35 kilometers from the finish in the ascent of the main difficulty of the circuit (Côte de la Vierge, 2.5 km at 6% average slope).

He was joined by - in particular - David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) but the breakaways held firm.

- Bodes well for Tokyo -

Slower in the sprint than some of his companions on the run, Rémi Cavagna placed his decisive banderilla at the start of the last lap.

The lack of direct reaction from the leading men was fatal to them, in the face of the Auvergnat's rolling qualities.

Winner of an individual time trial at the Tour de Romandie at the beginning of May, Cavagna (25) won his second victory of the season in the Vosges.

# photo2

A success that bodes well just a month before the Tokyo Olympics, for which his selection has not yet been formalized but there is little doubt.

Five places for Japan are to be taken but only one rider will defend the colors of France in the time trial.

Cavagna, seventh in the last World Championships, seems to be the best French chance to win a medal.

The Auvergnat will be able to concentrate on this objective all the better as he confirmed on Sunday that a selection for the Tour de France, which will start on Saturday in Brest, was very unlikely.

"I did the Tour of Italy and I will not normally be on the Tour de France. It would not be compatible with the objectives I have set for myself," said the Clermontois.

After earning the right to carry the flag on your back, head for the rings!

© 2021 AFP