The champion is... Champion!

Dimitri Champion of continental team Bretagne-Schuller created some surprise at the French championship where he proved himself to be stronger than the ProTour riders. He took a spectacular revenge over his previous team Bouygues Telecom, who didn't renew his contract at the end of last year.

The top four riders were former Bouygues Telecom riders. Bbox Bouygues Telecom's hot favourite Pierrick Fédrigo only took 11th.

The team recently has been affected by the departure of two directeurs sportifs, Philippe Mauduit and Christian Guiberteau. Both are rumoured to have disagreed with the management's decision of leaving Champion aside.

The ProTour team who seemed to have the race in its hands was Française des Jeux. Its riders Anthony Geslin and Anthony Roux could not follow a Champion on the final hill of a very selective circuit.

A crowd estimated at 80,000 spectators cheered the racers on. Although he is a Parisian, Champion defends the colours of the local team Bretagne-Schuller.

"He was definitely the strongest," said Geslin who was more disappointed to get a silver medal at the French championship behind Champion than when he got the bronze at the 2005 world championship in Madrid behind Tom Boonen and Alejandro Valverde.

Geslin and Roux who were both teammates of Champion at Bouygues Telecom and their feeder team Vendée U in the past were full of praise for Champion's exploit.

"I don't care about those who are not happy with my win," said Champion. He did not mention Bouygues' team manager Jean-René Bernaudeau and directeur sportif Didier Rous. Rumours of doping were spread about him but they were completely denied by French cycling federation anti-doping leader Dr. Armand Mégret, who is also involved in the running of the Bretagne-Schuller team.

It was Champion's third French title. He won the Under 23 time trial in 2005 and the amateur road race in 2006.