The French want a sprinter to become their national champion, hence picking a flat course. The favorite is Coquard, who also has the best train of the field with his team Festina. Demare's absence certainly will make things easier.
As should be expected, a bunch of amateurs tries to form a breakaway but the pros have none of it.
Sibilla, Kadri, Calmejane and Gallopin trying to attack with five kilometer to go, but Gaudin and Viennet keep the peloton alongside. Festina holding back despite having the absolute favorite.
At three kilometer all but Sibilla eventually get a gap, Senechal trying to join as well. The peloton has split in many pieces, all Festina riders except Coquard are behind, meaning he cannot build a train. Gaudin and Viennet still chasing.
The attackers are caught just before the flag. Laporte leading out Vanderbiest with Cosnefroy going behind them. Thomas leading out Bar with Bouhanni, Alaphilippe, Coquard, Martinez, Boudat, Hofstetter and Molard on his wheel. Everyone else at a gap.
Vanderbiest has the advantage going into the final kilometer due to the stronger leadout but comes in the wind too early. Coquard, Bar and Bouhanni have more speed.
And as expected it is Bryan Coquard with the strongest sprint to take the red-white-blue. Bouhanni second with Hofstetter surprisingly taking the final podium spot. Alaphilippe fourth, Bar falling away to fifth, Calmejane sixth, Boudat seventh, Martinez eighth, Molard ninth and Vanderbiest, totally empty, rounding out the top ten.
Robert caused an upset by beating Coppel last year. Time for Coppel to take his revenge, though he might have taken advice from Tonya Harding as the reigning champion is not participating.
Before the final five riders start, Rolland has posted the fastest time in 1h03'54, but should normally drop to sixth.
Lecuisinier indeed beats Rolland by more than a minute, and goes to 1h02'30.
Mottin is a few seconds slower at the first timing point and is unable to recover the deficit, six seconds down for provisional second.
Viennet is a bit further down, going to third at 39 seconds.
Paillot also can't match Lecuisinier's times. With 1h02'50 he goes to third which will likely become fourth.
Coppel blasts over the course, still wearing the rainbow jersey he lost to Pluchkin a few days ago. He beats the best time by eighteen seconds at the first checkpoint already. 1h01'40 is the winning time, fifty seconds faster than anyone else!
No surprise this year, the jersey goes to Jerome Coppel!
French National Road Race Championship 
