At the end of the 88 km of an urban circuit, the French champion won the 32nd Critérium de Dijon this Thursday, July 28. Sports journalist Gérard Holtz greeted a friendly event constituting “a meeting point between an audience and a champion”.
Find all the facets of the race in a hundred images taken all around the circuit.
The 32nd Critérium de Dijon was organized by the Sprinter Club Olympique Dijon, this Thursday, July 28, 2022, Cours du Général-de-Gaulle, in fine dry weather, conducive to the race, without it getting too hot in the evening. for racing including professionals.
The Dijon race is one of the last ten post-Tour de France criteriums to still be organized – notably due to a lack of available volunteers – whereas there were around sixty throughout France twenty years ago.
“Cycling is a lifelong sport”
The sporting, popular and free event is maintained thanks to many partners including, on the side of the local authorities, the City of Dijon, the Department of Côte-d’Or and the Burgundy-Franche-Comté Region.
SCO Dijon claimed “ten to twelve thousand people” to applaud the competitors. The public also beat the rhythm of the songs of Katia and Alicia who provided the musical interludes while waiting for the start.
Having made a detour from Lyon, sports journalist Gérard Holtz hailed an event constituting “a meeting point between an audience and a champion”. “Cycling is a sport for a lifetime”, he enthused, “it’s good for the fervor, the party, the heart, the body, the morale”.
Dijon athlete Alexis Miellet also came to greet the public from the ceremonial podium as well as commentators Daniel Mangeas and Jean-Michel Queré.
Two hours of lively racing
The runners set off at 7:53 p.m. for 88 km – between Place Wilson and the Edmond-Michelet roundabout – which they will have covered in 1 hour and 59 minutes.
Thanks to the intermediate sprints every five laps for the points classification, the race was animated by many attacks although no breakaway lasted very long.
We had to see the panel under the ten laps to be completed for a decisive breakaway to take shape comprising the winner of the 2021 edition Julien Bernard (Trek Segafredo) as well as Florian Sénéchal (Quick Step), Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis), Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën Team) and Yves Lampaert (Quick Step).
Florian Sénéchal tore away in the last meters
Passing alone in the lead two laps from the finish, Julien Benard was greatly applauded by the public but the Nivernais could not resist the return of these former breakaway companions who joined him to the sound of the bell of the final lap while maintaining nearly a half lap ahead of the peloton.
Starting from afar, one kilometer from the finish, Benjamin Thomas tried everything for everything but Florian Sénéchal and Yves Lampaert jumped into his wheel of the one who constitutes one of the great French hopes for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The final was decided between these three riders: Florian Sénéchal pulled away and managed to take a few steps ahead to raise his arms on the finish line, followed by Benjamin Thomas and Yves Lampaert.
“A nice course in a beautiful area”
French champion Florian Sénéchal received the winner’s bouquet from Perrine; he felt that it was “a nice course in a nice area” and gave an appointment for the 33rd edition.
Georges Mezui, Dijon city councilor for Sports, presented the City Prize to Florian Sénéchal. Franck Charlier, regional councilor for Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in charge of sports and the “athlete’s silhouette”, presented the Region’s prize to Hugo Hostetter.
Go to Dole then to the Planche des Belles Filles
“A fantastic weekend in terms of cycling” was announced by Franck Charlier. Indeed, many runners will also be present in the Jura this Saturday, July 30 for the Critérium du Grand Dole.
Another competition will soon see its arrival in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: the Tour de France Women at the Planche des Belles Filles this Sunday, July 31.
Jean-Christophe Tardivon
Results of the 32nd Criterium de Dijon
1st: Florian Senechal (Quick Step)
2nd: Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis)
3ème : Yves Lampaert (Quick Step)
Classification by points: Hugo Hostetter (Cofidis)
Best lap time: Yves Lampaert (Quick Step)
Prize for fighting spirit: Pierre-Luc Périchon (Cofidis)
Elegance Prize: Anthony Roux (FDJ Groupama)
Fair play award: Julien Bernard (Trek Segafredo)
First in the time trial: Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis)
First amateur: Mathieu Rigollot (SCO Dijon)
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