A Travers le Morbihan, Cat 1.4

1998 Results     Past Winners     Report: Patrice Halgand (Festina) has won the race known as "A travers le Morbihan", which was contested over 200 kms in Vannes au Sourn (France). He won from his breakaway companions French rider Laurent Desbiens and the Belgian Johann de Geyter (P). The early part of the race was very fast (43 km/h average) but the serious moves came at Melrand, with less than 80 kms to ride. The major teams were all represented in an attacking move that went away involving 9 riders. The break quickly built a lead on the peloton and it was only Crédit Agricole, not represented in the move, that tried to mount a chase. As they went onto the finishing lap, the peloton was more than 6 minutes behind and out of any contention. Earlier, with two finishing laps left, Laurent Desbiens was the first to attack from the front group but Halgand immediately responded. The next time Halgand attacked only Desbiens and Johan de Geyter could stay with him. The 3 riders were then never caught. With 400 metres to go, Patrice Halgand gave it everything down the right side and he destroyed the chances of Desbiens and de Geyter. Nicolas Jalabert was pipped for 4th place by Franck Bouyer 35 seconds later. Vannes au Sourn, 200 kms: 1. Patrice Halgand (Fra) Festina 4.50.00 2. Laurent Desbiens (Fra) Cofidis 0.01 3. Johan De Geyter (Bel) Tönissteiner-Colnago 0.03 4. Franck Bouyer (Fra) La Française des Jeux 0.35 5. Nicolas Jalabert (Fra) Cofidis 0.35 6. Serguei Yakovlev (Kaz) Besson Chaussures-Nippon Hodo 1.00 7. Pascal Chanteur (Fra) Casino 1.00 8. Philippe Bordenave (Fra) Big Mat-Auber 93 1.00 9. Nicolas Fritsch (Fra) Saint Quentin-Oktos-MBK 1.00 10. Saulius Ruskys (Lit) Saint Quentin-Oktos-MBK 6.30 Past Winners A Travers de Morbihan, a UCI Cat 1.4 event began in 1990. It was Previously known as the G.P. de Plumelec (1982-89). 1982 Fabien De Vooght (Fra) Wolber 1983 Laurent Fignon (Fra) Renault Gitane 1984 Pierre Bazzo (Fra) Coop Hoonved 1985 Marc Madiot (Fra) Renault Elf Gitane 1986 Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle (Fra) Peugeot 1987 Johnny Weltz (Den) Fagor 1988 Frédéric Brun (Fra) Z Peugeot 1989 no event 1990 Johan Museeuw (Bel) Lotto 223 kms in 5.33.57 1991 Bruno Cornillet (Fra) Z Peugeot 208 kms in 5.46.00 1992 Peter De Clercq (Bel) Lotto 200 kms in 4.56.25 1993 Marcel Wüst (Ger) Novemail Histor 190 kms in 4.24.00 1994 Peter De Clercq (Bel) Lotto 199 kms in 4.38.01 1995 Francis Moreau (Fra) GAN 205 kms in 4.41.42 1996 Johan Capiot (Fra) Collstrop Lystex 210 kms in 4.49.26 1997 Christophe Agnolutto (Fra) Casino 200 kms in 4.46.37 1998 Laurent Desbiens (Fra) Cofidis 205 kms in 5.10.26 1999 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Festina 200 kms in 4.50.00 Past Winners by Mario Stiehl, Berlin