Cycling world: four wildcards to Richmond

PARIS - The France team is given four jokers, Nacer Bouhanni, Tony Gallopin, Arnaud Démare and Julian Alaphilippe for the World Cycling Championships, September 27, in Richmond (USA).

"The uncertainty was related to our sprinters," he told AFP Executioner Bernard, who on Monday announced the names of nine riders selected for this "World" on the road, the first held in the US since 1986.

The national coach, who had originally planned to unveil the list last week, was granted additional time to choose. Bryan Coquard, which held Friday after the GP de Quebec "not be better," thus remained on the sidelines.

"The course is not very hard but there are several mounted in the last four kilometers. We must be able to pass without pitfalls cobblestones," said Executioner about Richmond circuit typed "Flandrian race."

"I have four jokers and it is the race which then appoint (to protect the rider)," stressed the head of the France team who did not hesitate to hold together and Bouhanni Démare, whose natural rivals cohabitation in the FDJ team ended last season.

- A messed group -

"I spoke with both and I told them that it was the national team that was at stake. This has already been available before, in the days of Anquetil-Poulidor of Hinault-Fignon, etc." Executioner recalled. "It may even turn into an asset if one knows how to take it well. We will not leave even when centerpieces at home."

"Arnaud (Démare) is a championship man. He is present in the Flemish classics even if it has not been successful this year," added the coach about Picard will have a regular teammate (Delage) in the group. Bouhanni will share his two of his men (Lemoine and Simon).

The three French stage winners in the Tour in July and present préolymppique Rio test the following month, Romain Bardet, Thibaut Pinot and Alexis Vuillermoz, cataloged climbers or punchers, have turned to other objectives. Like Warren Barguil who was also part of the expedition in Brazil.

Compared to Ponferrada Worldwide last year, the group has been largely renewed. Only Bouhanni (10th) and Gallopin (6th) were part of the successful team in Spain, with Jérôme Coppel for against the clock.

The riders will arrive on site in several waves. The latest to join Virginia, including Bouhanni, will leave next Monday, following the GP Isbergues.