Arnaud Démare wins in Poitiers!

Race reportAug 23, 2024

World Team TeamTour Poitou Charentes

Arnaud Démare won the 4th and final stage of the Tour Poitou-Charentes, contested between Fontaine-le-Comté and Poitiers, in a sprint on Friday. A victory that gives him a 96th career success.

Photos: Getty Images

Arnaud Démare

I am really happy. I came to Poitou-Charentes to win. Achieving this goal feels good. It is a relief. This victory gives me confidence for the end of the season. I have a great race schedule to come with great opportunities to seize. The finale in Poitiers was intense today. In the last climb, we had a crosswind and it stretched out a lot. We had to stay calm and sheltered. In the finale, I was well led by my teammates from the ARKEA-B&B HOTELS team. We were patient and we decided not to necessarily launch the sprint but to get in the wheel of Groupama-FDJ. I waited for the right moment, 150 m from the finish line, before making my effort. There was a headwind but I still had energy and it worked. Today, there was some very good work from the ARKEA - B&B HOTELS collective, which was very young here and could have lacked experience, but the youngest learned a lot this week.

Yvon Ledanois

Sports Director

I am satisfied, happy and content all at once... simply because this week in Poitou-Charentes we have experienced many emotions. On the first day, we were, as they say in sport, "beaten up". We were able to find the words to help the riders, comfort them and give them back their confidence by reminding them that we had the ability to win here and that we would end this week of racing with a victory. They were able to react and that is a satisfaction. Seeing Arnaud raise his arms is also a moment that we all savor. I know what he has been through and where he comes from so I am really happy for him and for the ARKEA - B&B HOTELS team. He now has 96 career victories. I have no doubt that he will reach the 100 mark with our team. He will not end his career without crossing this barrier. He is a champion and a champion never dies.

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