"I've been hoping for this for ten years" - Bryan Coquard emotional over first career World Tour win

Bryan Coquard is a long-time winner and one of the best sprinters and puncheurs in the peloton. A very consistent rider over the years, it would be a surprise to many knowing he hadn't ever won at World Tour level, but that changed today.

“I had to wait a long time for this. This victory in the WorldTour, I've been hoping for this for ten years," the Frenchman said in a post-race interview. "I am so proud and happy with this win. I have won a lot, but never at this level. I am very happy.”

The Corfidis sprinter resisted the echelons that formed due to the strong winds in the day, and managed to find himself in the perfect position in the final sprint, something many others failed as the strong winds saw a big fight for positioning. “We had to watch out for the fans. In the end we were in the first group with two riders from the team, Alexis Renard and me," he said.

Towards the end though, the French team nailed the aproach: "Alexis did a perfect lead-out before the sprint, so I have to say thank you. That was a very nice moment for me. It's a great day," he concluded. This was Coquard's 49th pro win since turning pro in 2013, but with no doubt one of the most special.