French National Road Championships

22 25 June, NC, France This year’s French road champs take place on an undulating course centred on Saint-Omer in the département of Pas-de-Calais. Riders have already recced the 15.5km lap. There’s a short sector of pavé, a couple of little climbs, a long mild descent to the line and the ever-present threat of wind. Adrien Petit, the Direct Energie rouleur, said there was a northerly touch, a whi f of a Classic to the sprinters’ course. That should prick the ears of Petit’s co-equipier, Bryan Coquard. The favourite, however, will be the local-ish lad, Arnaud Démare, who has the pedigree and motivation. Watch out for Nacer Bouhanni too. If he has form ahead of the Tour he could capture Co idis’s irst ever French road title.