Arnaud Demare (FDJ)
Arnaud Demare (FDJ)
Second last year, Arnaud Demare (FDJ) has found the going tough so far this season in the French national champion’s jersey.
Milan-San Remo was a case in point for the 23-year-old, who rolled in in 127th place – and the Frenchman certainly has a lot to prove in a short space of time if he is to get his season back on track at the Classics.
With Nacer Bouhanni gone, Demare is leading the FDJ line when it comes to hunting stage and one-day victories and his runner-up spot in Wevelgem was paired with 12th at Paris-Roubaix last season.
This time out, a third place on stage one in Qatar – his first day of racing this year – and second in Saint-Amand-Montrond at Paris-Nice are the only notable results to his name.
Boasting an explosive sprint and the ability to get over the short, steep Gent-Welvelgem ascents, however, it would be foolish to write off the Frenchman just yet.
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