"It's going to be a great week (Wednesday) in Huy and (Sunday) in Liège with the aim of seeking victory," Cosnefroy told AFP.

The runner does not seem bruised by his two recent runners-up.

A little less than two weeks ago, the native of Cherbourg (26) failed by a quarter of a gut at the Amstel photo-finish behind the Polish Michal Kwiatkowski.

Another second place four days later at Oversijse where he settled the sprint of the pursuers behind the American Magnus Sheffield.

"It's of course frustrating. I'm a little angry with the commissioners who had named me the winner at the Amstel", recognizes the Norman, given the winner at first before the victory is attributed to "Kwiato".

"Having said that, I remember first of all the pleasure I took in these races", explains Cosnefroy.

"It was a very good week during which I was in top form," he continues.

Benoît Cosnefroy (g) beaten in the sprint by Michał Kwiatkowski for victory at the Amstel Gold Race, April 10, 2022 in Valkenburg Marcel van Hoorn ANP / AFP / Archives

To the point of playing the leading roles on Wednesday and Sunday on the Mur de Huy or on the La Redoute coast?

"Second? I Expect Better"

"La Flèche suits me well. It's a placement race and with my current legs, I can be very ambitious Even if I refuse to be tagged as a favourite," the man who had finished on the podium of the 2020 edition (2nd behind the Swiss Marc Hirschi).

"You have to be on top. Otherwise, it's impossible to play for the win".

And Liege?

"The Doyenne is more tactical. I am progressing at this level. I have a linear career with, finally, the possibility of fighting with the best", says the 2017 world champion Espoirs.

The ambitious puncher, revealed among the pros by a podium in Paris-Tours a year later in 2018, showed that he knew how to win but especially on the national scene.

His last Ardennes campaign in the spring of 2021 was marred by a right knee injury which had hampered his preparation.

But his success ahead of world champion Julian Alaphilippe in the Bretagne Classic last August showed that he had reached a new level, that of a first success in the WorldTour.

It now remains to impose itself outside the borders of France.

For the Doyenne, Cosnefroy is of course wary of the top names in the discipline, the Pogacars, Alaphilippe, Mohoric... "And if Wout Van Aert is in good shape, it will be another race", he predicts.

The Belgian, second in Paris-Roubaix despite three weeks without racing due to Covid-19, announced at the velodrome on Sunday that he would be at the start in Liège.

"The presence of Van Aert or Van der Poel could play in my favour. The attention will be focused on them. It's up to me to take advantage of it," explains the Frenchman.

In the mouth of the French, however, the watchword remains "pleasure".

"If I ride as I wish, the results will follow," asserts the AG2R puncher, hoping to raise his arms to Huy or Liège this week.

© 2022 AFP