Fourth podium and ninth top 10 this season for Toby Chatonnet. This time, it was in front of almost all the best amateur runners, in the French Cup N1, that he won this new very good result during the Grand Prix de la Sologne des Etangs, in Loir-et-Cher (see classification). At the foot of the protocol podium, Directive collected the reaction of the runner of the Bricquebec Cotentin team, very satisfied with this result on a circuit which, according to him, was not frankly cut for his qualities. Interview with the last winner of Locminé’s arrow.
Directvelo: What is the feeling that dominates after this podium?
Toby Chatonnet: I’m tired, really tired (laughing). It was not a circuit that suited me very well, it was not ideal for my size. But it is very good to go and seek this result, I think I will take time to recover to fully achieve and appreciate this performance because it is very good.
“I left cartridges”
What was the team’s plan today?
We were targeting a massive sprint for Alexis Robert. For my part, I wanted to race at the front, as I was not the key card of the team. I had a different role from what I have known until then this season. I went to sprint along the way to take points, already. It was hot with Camille Charret who was going fairly quickly. I left cartridges for the final sprint, I was cooked at the end but it still ended well thanks to my speed of speed. I think the team is satisfied. It is a good result for us.
Have you been surprised by the race scenario?
I had done the calculation and I realized that only four teams were missing. I suspected that it was going to be hard to control for missing teams like Dinan or Loudéac and therefore that it would go far, even if I believe that the Lockimmo rolled right away. We dug the gap then we lost a little time before joining the final circuit, so we relaunched the machine and there it was good. At the end of the race, I did the least because I was cooked after doing a lot throughout the race. I would have preferred it to come behind for Alexis (Robert, editor’s note), I knew he was going to be complicated to win.
“I am much stronger than I was previously”
How did you manage the very last kilometers after understanding that it would not come in?
I wanted to attack. Several runners tried but everyone was well started and the course was not favorable to go out, so I understood that it was better to play the sprint. I took the wheel of (Lucas) Mainguenaud because I know his speed of speed, I knew he had won at the Vendée beaches. I did not forget Guillaume Adam either, my former teammate. For the details of the sprint, everything goes so fast that I don’t even remember too much (smile). In any case, it’s good for the team, we go up to the general’s fourth place. We hope to stay above to have as many places as possible in the French championship.
You stayed on one, already, 3rd place at the Circuit du Mené two weeks ago!
I just got my cut, that’s why I didn’t run last weekend. This is the start of my second cycle of the season. This is why I wanted to take the breakaway. I took this day above all as a recovery race so do 3rd, it’s the icing on the cake. I feel that I had a notch this year, I am much stronger than I was before. I also feel good in the team and I only cycle this year after having validated my license in Staps. It is necessarily simpler. I have several races in mind including the French championship, of course. It is the best race of the year. I think the circuit can suit me.
