Cholet-Pays de la Loire 2023 [FULL RACE]

March 19, 2023

Cholet-Pays de la Loire 2023 – Cholet – Cholet : 205 km

Classic Loire Atlantique is one of the youngest one-day races in France and one of only a few to take place in the windy, western part of the country. The one-day race was first held in 2000, but it wasn’t until its third edition that it started to attract bigger names from the pro peloton. Over its 23-year history the race has followed largely the same route, completing a dozen laps of a rolling circuit around the outskirts of Nantes. The rolling circuit suits strong rouleurs who are powerful enough to punch through the roaring headwinds and crosswinds which are known to rip through this part of France.

Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ) has staged a searing last minute attack to capture his first pro win in the Cholet-Pays-de-la-Loire.

Second in the Classic Loire-Atlantique on Saturday, Pithie was perfectly positioned in a chaotic, crash-marred finale where no team seemed able to take control of the brutally hilly, technical finishing circuit.

After a six rider break was brought back with in the last four kilometres thanks to a ferocious pursuit by Arkea-Samsic and AG2R Citröen, the 20-year-old first year pro made his move up the left hand side of the road.

It looked as if the New Zealander was set to be reeled within sight of the line. But a desperate last-minute effort allowed him to stay clear, just a few metres ahead of French counter-attackers Anthony Perez (Cofidis) and TotalEnergies Lorenzo Manzin.

Results :