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2022 La Polynormande (1.1), France

42nd edition: Sunday, August 14, 2022

La Polynormande historic results | Start list | 2021 edition | 2023 edition

Avranches - St. Martin de Landelles, 168.9 km

Franck Bonnamour is first across the line.

Weather at the city of Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, of which the finish town of St. Martin de Landelles is a part at 1:35 PM, local time: 21C (70C), rain shower, with the wind from the southeast at 8 km/hr (5 mph). The rain is forecast to continue through the afternoon.

Bill and Carol McGann's book The Story of the Tour de France, 2019: A Year of New Faces is available in both Kindle eBook and audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

The race: Here is a machine translation of winner Franck Bonnamour's Team B&B Hotels' race story.

In the rain and for his return to competition three weeks after the end of the Tour de France, Franck Bonnamour won the Polynormande by settling a breakaway where the Men in Glaz managed to slip two riders. At 27, the Breton, Super Combatif of the Tour de France 2021, won his first success among professionals.

This "Poly" 2022 had everything to please him. A circuit course rich in climbs and restarts, continuous rain which made us forget the scorching atmosphere of the last few days, and a disjointed race scenario where he could count on the support of his faithful Alexis Gougeard. After a much less rosy month of July than last year, Franck Bonnamour has repaid himself for the doubts, suffering and disappointments that marred his 2022 season. He who revealed himself by accumulating places of honor last season, has unlocked his counter in Saint-Martin de Landelles, where the 2023 French Championships will take place. He is not there yet and prefers, from his little damp and cool cloud, to savor his first pro victory.

“This morning, I was probably one of the only riders in the peloton to be delighted with the weather, smiles the child from Lannion. I like to start a race in the rain, it has the gift of transcending me and strengthening my warrior side. “After a start to the race where the Men in Glaz were all round, the good breakaway formed on the final circuit, more than 120 km from the finish. “We were the only team represented by two riders and seeing Alexis by my side gave me confidence. It was our recovery for both of us, we supported each other because our feelings were really not great. Fortunately, I felt that it was unlocked 50 km from the finish but I had to kick my ass! When Alexis got stuck, I hung on to the maximum and tried to trust myself by doing my part of the job like everyone else.”

Complete Results:

168.9 kilometers raced at an average speed of 44.506 km/hr

Start list with back numbers, August 13, 2022: