Boucles de l'Aulne: Lewis Askey earns his first pro victory with long sprint in Châteaulin

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Benoît Cosnefroy crosses the line ahead Clément Venturini from chasers to complete podium

Lewis Askey (Gourpama-FDJ)
Lewis Askey (Gourpama-FDJ) (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ) attacked with 500 metres to go and won Boucles de l'Aulne à Châteaulin with room to spare. Benoît Cosnefroy (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) led the chasing bunch two seconds back for second place, ahead of Clément Venturini (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) who placed third.

The winding 183.1km course around Brittany included 12 passes of the finish line, with Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) attacking on the final lap. He was caught with 5km to go to set up the bunch sprint.

"The guys did a really good job to get me in a good position in the last corner. I saw that there was already a small gap after the corner, I felt good and I thought: it's now or never," Askey said. 

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"I knew I could hold on, so I went for it full gas, and I saw that I opened up a gap straight away. I hadn't planned on doing this at all, but I managed to read the race. I hate having regrets, waiting, and then thinking I should have done this or that. As soon as you see the 300-meter, 200-meter signs, it's easier to bear the pain. 

"I came close to victory several times, and I was afraid it would never come. I'm extremely happy to finally get it today. It's great and it takes off some pressure. Everyone told me that the first victory could make things click. I'm waiting to see that, but I hope."

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Laura Weislo
Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

Laura Weislo is a Cyclingnews veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.

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