Published on : 04/01/2022
In a race that was completely crazy because of the difficult weather conditions, Axel Zingle won in a small group of 4 riders. At 23 years of age, he wins his first professional race, the 7th of the season for Cofidis.
Brittany is definitely not what you think it is. At the gates of the region, in Vitré, the Route Adélie offered a range of particularly difficult conditions. The peloton had to face very low temperatures (which pushed the organisers to reduce the distance of the race), gusts of wind, scattered showers and even hail... Nevertheless, it was necessary to hold on, all the more so as the Cofidis team was expected to have a competitive team at the start.
Cofidis, n°1 animator of the race
If a breakaway was quickly contained by the men in red and white, the rhythm intensified in the last 30 kilometres. The Cofidis team took control of the race, in particular with Eddy Finé, Benjamin Thomas, Anthony Perez and Bryan Coquard. In the final, Anthony Perez accelerated again. They are seven riders to hold on and then only four including Axel Zingle. The 23 year-old rider, calm and composed, attacks and then places himself in a perfect position before the final sprint. He was the first to start the hostilities and also the first on the line.
The 7th success for Cofidis this season
The Mulhouse native was a trainee in the team last year and has shown a constant progression since he joined the Cofidis squad. 7th of the 2nd stage of the Saudi Tour in February, 7th of Cholet-Pays de la Loire at the end of March, Axel won his first professional race in Brittany.
He offers Cofidis his 7th victory of the season and becomes the 5th rider of the team to win this season after Bryan Coquard, Benjamin Thomas, Max Walscheid and Anthony Perez. Finally, Anthony, winner of the Classic Loire-Atlantique and 5th on Friday, takes the lead in the French Cup.
THEY SAID
Axel ZINGLE, 1st: "I am very happy! I was looking forward to my first victory in the pros. We rode a great race collectively, it was incredible. The team took its responsibilities and everyone gave their best and in the final, I knew I had to attack. It's even more beautiful to win with style. I knew Dorian (Godon) and Valentin (Ferron) and I knew that I could be fast against them. I didn't hesitate long before throwing at 250 metres and I didn't look back. This victory allows me to reach a new level and I hope to continue this dynamic.
Jean-Luc JONROND, sport director: "We wanted to set the fire in the final but we had to place the cursor at the right moment. The whole team worked very well, knowing that we had to be outnumbered in the final, especially in such a difficult race to control. At the briefing, Bryan encouraged everyone to enjoy themselves and take their chances and that's what they did. Axel manoeuvred perfectly in the final and his victory is a fitting reward. This is just the beginning of a long series."