Cordon-Ragot claims French TT-road race double
Trek-Segafredo rider beats Verhulst in two-up sprint
Audrey Cordon-Ragot (Trek-Segafredo) claimed the French national road race title for the second time in her career on Saturday, doubling up after her mid-week time trial victory.
The 32-year-old, who won the title in 2020, beat Gladys Verhulst (Le Col-Wahoo) in a two-up sprint for the line in Cholet.
Noémie Abgrall (Stade Rochelais Charente-Maritime) claimed the bronze medal and the final spot on the podium, leading home a chasing group of five riders.
Cordon-Ragot, who'd claimed the sixth TT crown of her career on Wednesday, attacked from the chasing pack to bridge over to a dangerous breakaway on the penultimate lap of the Cholet course. Verhulst went with her but big names like Juliette Labous (DSM) and Aude Biannic (Movistar) were stuck behind.
Cordon-Ragot attacked again on the Séguinière climb before responding to an attack from Verhulst as the pair went clear of the rest. It was settled in a sprint, with the Trek-Segafredo rider shading it before throwing her hands in the air.
Results powered by FirstCycling
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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.
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