BENOIT COSNEFROY: «It means a lot.»
«This race was my goal at the start of the season, with its finish line where everyone gives 100%. Coming second in a classic race means a lot.
The year has been turned upside down and it wasn't a certainty that I would be in good shape. After the Tour de France, I remained under pressure and kept myself in shape.
The whole team focused on me throughout the race. It was crazy. We took responsibility. On the final climb, Alexis Vuillermoz did the work to get me into position. Then I gave it my all and managed my climb to the front to control my effort.‘
JULIEN JURDIE: «A great team performance»
«It was a great performance by Benoit and a great team effort. We were determined to shine with him. The team worked hard right up to the wire. It's always a pretty stressful race where positioning is crucial. It's very satisfying to see Benoit on the podium.»
THE FIGURE
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Benoît Cosnefroy's second place in the Flèche Wallonne is his first podium finish in a UCI WorldTour classic. This year, he won the overall classification of the Etoile de Béssèges, the fourth stage of the Route d'Occitanie and the GP La Marseillaise. He wore the best climber's jersey in the Tour de France for fifteen days.
NEWS
No serious injury for Oliver Naesen
Oliver Naesen, who fell during the final stage of the Binck Bank Tour on Tuesday, underwent an MRI scan on his right knee on Tuesday evening, which revealed no serious injury. He is suffering from a large haematoma inside the knee capsule. A decision will be made regarding his continued participation in the race depending on how the pain develops.
