Dorian Godon
«I brought the team's work to fruition.»
«This victory feels good! It rewards all the hard work we've put in over the last few weeks after a difficult summer. I'm really happy to be raising my arms again.
I felt that the three weeks of La Vuelta a España allowed me to build up my strength. I was determined to finish the year on a high note. So winning is perfect.
We had a very strong team at the start of the race. Stan (Dewulf) spent the day at the front, he was very strong. Behind him, Jordan (Labrosse) and Valentin (Retailleau) worked hard all day to protect us, then we played our different cards in the final. Franck (Bonnamour) and Benoît (Cosnefroy) were vigilant in the final laps and positioned us perfectly before the last climb with Andrea (Vendrame).
With 250 metres to go, I felt really strong, so I went for it without looking back. It's a challenge I particularly enjoy; it's great to be able to see the team's hard work pay off.
We still have the Veneto Classic on Sunday (15 October) where, once again, we will have a very strong team and a strong determination to repeat today's result.»
”I was determined to end the year on a high note.
The information
First Frenchman to win the Giro del Veneto
Dorian Godon became the first French rider to win the Giro del Veneto in 86 editions.
«This morning at the briefing, we decided on a tactical race for Dorian (Godon) and Franck (Bonnamour) in the final laps, leaving Benoît (Cosnefroy) and Andrea (Vendrame) to wait until the very end of the race," explains Cyril Dessel, sporting director of the AG2R CITROËN team.
In the end, the last hurdle was less difficult than we had imagined, so we swapped Benoît and Dorian's roles and it worked perfectly.
I had insisted to the lads that we run together as a team in order to finish the season on a high note, and they did just that.
Stan (Dewulf) had a great day at the front before Dorian clinched this fine victory, which rewards the efforts of all the riders and staff.»
9
The figure
Dorian Godon's victory in the Giro del Veneto is the ninth win for the AG2R CITROËN team this season.
The 27-year-old Frenchman also won the Flèche Brabançonne.
Felix Gall raised his arms in victory during the 17th stage of the Tour de France and the 4th stage of the Tour de Suisse.
Aurélien Paret-Peintre won the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia and the third stage of the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var.
Nans Peters was victorious at the Trofeo Laigueglia.
Greg Van Avermaet won the Boucles de l'Aulne, as did Marc Sarreau in the fourth stage of the Tour Poitou-Charentes.
It should also be noted that Clément Venturini became French cyclo-cross champion.
