This Sunday, Team TotalEnergies left the French National Championships with a strong third place secured by Joris Delbove. A podium that above all rewards the outstanding collective work delivered by the entire team throughout the day.
With 27 riders at the start, the team approached this major event with a clear common goal: to put all its strength in support of identified leaders and to execute the race plan defined before the start, with the aim of bringing the French tricolour jersey back to Vendée.
From the opening kilometres, everyone fulfilled their role to perfection. Some took responsibility to control the race, others followed key moves, closed gaps, or raised the tempo when the situation required it. Tasks that were sometimes invisible, but essential in allowing the leaders to get through the race in the best possible conditions. Among them, Alan Jousseaume and Geoffrey Bouchard were particularly valuable at the front of the race.
On a demanding course and at a very high pace, Team TotalEnergies stayed united. Without rushing, without wasting unnecessary energy, the riders stuck to the plan and showed great composure in the decisive moments. A collective performance that allowed Joris Delbove to approach the final with all his cards in hand. Jordan Jegat and Alexandre Delettre also finished inside the Top 10.
At the end of a spectacular race, Joris claimed a superb third place behind Paul Lapeira and Romain Grégoire. A performance that reflects his own qualities, but one he is the first to say is the result of the whole team’s work.
The legs were good, of course I was hoping to win. But we have to be realistic: third behind Paul and Romain is still a great result.
The race scenario was pretty crazy, it was fast all day. The team rode a very strong collective race, we didn’t panic in the key moments and we made no mistakes.
We leave these French Championships with no regrets. I’m the one on the result sheet, but this third place belongs to the whole team.
On Sunday, only one rider stood on the podium. But this bronze medal belongs to an entire collective. A positive result just days before the start of our 27th Tour de France.
