Cosnefroy: Beating, supporting, and partying with Alaphilippe

PLOUAY FRANCE AUGUST 29 Benoit Cosnefroy of France and Ag2R Citroen Team celebrates winning during the 85th Bretagne Classic OuestFrance 2021 a 251km race from Plouay to Plouay OuestFrance on August 29 2021 in Plouay France Photo by Luc ClaessenGetty Images
Cosnefroy beats Alaphilippe to land the Bretagne Classic 2021 (Image credit: Getty Images)

He may have landed a breakthrough WorldTour-level victory, but the defining image of Benoît Cosnefroy from the 2021 season is perhaps that of him with beer in hand, cap on backwards, and rainbow jersey in mouth. 

It was in the French team’s hotel in Leuven in the late hours following Julian Alaphilippe’s World Championships victory, and Cosnefroy was leading the way in ensuring the title was celebrated appropriately. 

Patrick Fletcher

Patrick is a freelance sports writer and editor. He’s an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish). Patrick worked full-time at Cyclingnews for eight years between 2015 and 2023, latterly as Deputy Editor.