Published on : 06/23/2022
During the time trial of the French championships, this Thursday in Cholet, Cedrine Kerbaol and Benjamin Thomas won the bronze medal. At the same time, in Switzerland, Tom Bohli also took 3rd place. A way to launch with enthusiasm this weekend of national championships for the whole team.
This is the kind of afternoon that we enjoy. Seeing Cofidis riders giving their all, working hard and doing their colours proud. Cedrine Kerbaol had started the race in the middle of the afternoon on the roads of Cholet. At the end of the 25,3 km time trial, she crossed the line 35 seconds behind the winner, Audrey Cordon-Ragot.
Benjamin Thomas, great animator of the time trial
At 21 years old, Cedrine is one of the most promising runners of the event. She promises to be on the attack with her five team-mates during the road race on Saturday. A little later, Benjamin Thomas entered the race. On this demanding course of 44,3 km, the French champion, leader at the first checkpoint, stayed for a long time in the fight for the final victory. He finished 30 seconds behind the first place, Bruno Amirail. Benjamin shows a great consistency in the exercise: it is indeed his 5th consecutive podium in the time trial of the French championships.
On the other hand, in Switzerland, it was Tom Bohli who distinguished himself. In the 38 km time trial around Steinmaur, he took 3rd place, 1 min 57 sec behind the winner, Joel Suter. From now on, all of them will have to recover well before tackling the road races with the same desire to shine.
THEY SAID
Cedrine Kerbaol (3rd): "I am quite satisfied. My goal was to surpass myself and I think it's mission accomplished. The result is a bonus. The time trial is an exercise where you have to fight against yourself rather than against the others. I gave it all I could and I think I can be satisfied. I tell myself that I have good years ahead of me, especially as we have a lot of events ahead of us, including the road race on Saturday. And with Cofidis, we will give it our all!
Benjamin Thomas (3rd): "We have to salute the performance of Bruno Amirail who did a very good time. As for me, I have nothing to reproach myself for. My time was linear but the strongest rider won today. It's true that this is my 5th consecutive podium. It's a discipline I like and we had a very good run today. I had a lot of fun even if the victory is not at the end.