The 85th edition of the Paris-Camembert race was very eventful on Wednesday, with the peloton often split into several groups due to numerous crosswinds throughout the day, between Magnanville in the Yvelines and Livarot Pays d’Auge in Normandy. Additionally, a massive crash just after the midway point forced the organizers to neutralize the race for several minutes. A new start was given at the 125th kilometer of this sixth leg of the Coupe de France.
At the end of the 205.6 kilometers of racing, Benoît Cosnefroy (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) ultimately won the sprint ahead of Clément Venturini (Arkéa-BB Hotels) and Alexandre Delettre (St-Michel-Mavic-Auber 93). Ewen Costiou (Arkéa-BB Hotels), who finished second last year, initially took the lead of the race around fifty kilometers from the finish, particularly in the climb of the Cavée de Crouttes. Then, about ten kilometers later, the Arkéa-BB Hotels rider dropped Morne Van Niekerk to pave the way for victory alone.
But the Breton, who had a lead of up to 40 seconds, was ultimately caught in the last difficulty of the day, the Butte des Fondits, less than ten kilometers from the finish. Eight riders battled for the final victory. Benoît Cosnefroy succeeded Valentin Ferron. Since the Spaniard Alejandro Valverde in 2008, the race has always been won by a Frenchman. Dorian Godon is the only one to have achieved the double (2020 and 2021) in the last forty years.
Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), who did not participate in the race, remains the leader of the Coupe de France with 103 points. His runner-up, Jason Tesson (TotalEnergies), did not benefit from this. He was forced to abandon before the end of the first loop following the massive crash in the peloton.
