Florian Senechal - "To be the French Champion and hear La Marseillaise on the podium is something that will forever stay with me"

Florian Senechal won the French national championship which was held on Sunday, winning a five-man sprint in Cholet. Anthony Turgis finished second and Axel Zingle completed the podium, with the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team rider - who will not be present at the Tour de France - taking a very important triumph.

Yesterday after his big win, Sénéchal told reporters: “It’s unbelievable! To be the French Champion and hear La Marseillaise on the podium is something that will forever stay with me. I worked a lot, I made a lot of sacrifices, and to get this reward after a difficult part of the season is incredible," he pointed out. "The mere thought that I will have this superb jersey on my shoulders for the next twelve months and race the Spring Classics makes me emotional."

There were several teams with high amount of riders, however only with three Quick-Step managed to have great effect on the race. It was in the finale where things where decided, with Sénéchal responding to an initial attack of Benjamin Thomas and then having the best legs from the riders that stayed in front until the finale. "Rémi was the first to attack, then as soon as he was brought back Julian brought me to the front and I went the final time up the climb, giving everything," he detailed.

"When the other riders bridged across with one kilometer to go, it was the perfect scenario for me. I knew I was the fastest in the group, had a good feeling and my legs were strong, so I stayed calm and made my sprint. It hasn’t been the best season for me until now, but this totally makes up for everything," he concluded.