Victoire Berteau was crowned French road cycling champion at the age of 22 by winning the road race in Cassel, in the North, on Saturday. This is the first professional victory for the Cofidis runner, originally from Douai, in the same department.
The “Chti” beat a doublet from FDJ-Suez, Marie Le Net and Jade Wiel, champion of France 2019, by being the fastest in the final wall, located a few hundred meters from the line.
The decisive blow came 30 kilometers from the finish but contrary to what the very demanding route might have led one to believe, it did not intervene in one of its two bumps. With Victoire Berteau, it is moreover a trackwoman who imposed herself in Cassel.
“I’m a little disappointed, delivered Juliette Labous, one of the great favorites. The shot did not go off the pedal. But I’m really happy for Victoire, a girl you always see at the front in the races.
Victoire Berteau took advantage of a moment of delay after joining and forming a large group to take the tangent with Jade Wiel and Coralie Demay. Marie Le Net only returned to the trio at the foot of the last wall.