Anthony Ravard celebrated his fifth season victory in Paris-Bourges, when he outsprinted Romain Feillu and Matti Breschel. Other beaten sprinters in the 193km long race included Sébastien Chavanel (fifth) and Bernhard Eisel (seventh).
Ravard knew that his squad played a pivotal part in his win. "Today the entire team worked really well. They rode to catch the ten-man break just as we entered the circuit," Ravard said. He was then perfectly set up by his AG2R team. "I was well placed and I only had to stand up on my pedals." Ravard powered away in the sprint, then having time to enjoy the victory salute.
"For me this win is different than the previous ones this season, because this time I won with a bigger margin to the second-placed rider." That was despite Ravard launching his sprint from a long way out, with more than 200 meters to go. He was able to hold his advantage. "This is a very nice piece of collective work," he said.
Ravard wasn't going all out in previous races. "Before coming here, I was doing the Belgian races," he said. He still snatched fourth in the Memorial Rik Van Steenbergen, although he failed to finish Franco-Belge. "I knew that I couldn't do it all and I was really eyeing Paris-Bourges and Paris-Tours. I was right!"
Paris-Tours takes place on Sunday and Ravard hopes to repeat a win in the Loire valley. His sports director Gilles Mas hopes that Ravard will have improved until then. "Anthony wasn't superb in the final climb, but he hung on until the end and eventually took it. He is impressive, even if he isn't a 100 percent, he manages to win."
Results
1. RAVARD Anthony ALM
2. FEILLU Romain VAC
3. BRESCHEL Matti SAX
4. MATHEOU Romain SAU
5. CHAVANEL Sébastien FDJ
6. CHAIGNEAU Robin SKS
7. EISEL Bernhard THR
8. PICHON Laurent BSC
9. HADDOU Nadir AUB
10. KREDER Michel GRM