“The snarl!” On the starting line of the Roc d’Azur, the flagship race of the week, Hugo Drechou clearly showed his state of mind after his broken chain which forced him to abandon only 30 meters after the start, Friday on the Ford Roc Marathon. After 2h18’30” of effort to cover the 54.5 km on the programme, it was as a winner that this time he crossed the finish line, one minute ahead of his compatriot Mathis Azzaro, great hope of the discipline , and 3’30 ahead of the Italian Fabian Rabensteiner.
Second last year (he won the Roc Marathon), he entered his name on the Roc d’Azur list for the first time and succeeds Jordan Sarrou. “Winning the Roc d’Azur in France is very important,” confides Drechou, 32 years old. The impact is stronger than for other races. It also allows you to leave with great morale for the winter. I was confident in my feelings and decided to be in front from the start. But I had to control my anger and the desire for revenge. You shouldn’t make too much effort at the start and stay on track at the beginning. I was motivated, but a little voice told me to calm down. Mathis is very strong on the descents and I am very strong on the climbs. We got along well and that allowed us to widen the gap. After two hours, marathon runners start to make a difference. I knew that I should not arrive in the sprint with a young man like Mathis. Last year I failed in the main race even though second place is very good. This time I have this victory!”.
Arriving on the night of the Tour of Lombardy, Romain Bardet took 11th place, just 5 minutes behind the winner.
Blue-white-red also in the women’s race with the success of the young Noémie Garnier crowned with her pretty tricolor jersey as champion of France Espoirs. In 2h49’27”, she succeeds Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. At 22 years old, the winner, loyal to the Roc since her younger years, took off as the race progressed.
“Winning the Roc d’Azur for my last race with the Espoirs tricolor jersey is great,” explains the Frenchwoman. I took my pace slowly and made the most of this day. In Bougnon, I had chills. It looked like the Tour de France. I didn’t see the bump go by. I decided to come Thursday evening. I hit the road on Friday, drove 9 hours from Le Mans and here I am and winning! Today, I enjoyed every kilometer, the atmosphere, the crowds, the sun. It was great. The Roc is still something.” The podium is entirely French with Constance Valentin (2h56’29”) in second place and Marine Allione (2h58’44”) in third.
