34th Ruban Granitier Breton - 2.6

Bretagne, France, April 25-May 1, 2000

Stage 1 - April 25: Perros-Guirec - Perros-Guirec, 125. 8 km

Voeckler wins after Pétilleau DQ'd

Thomas Voeckler (Vendee U) won the first stage of the Ruban Breton, a 125 kilometre circuit starting and finishing in Perros-Guirec. He beat Jean Floc'h rider Stéphane Pétilleau but not by crossing the line first. The latter was relegated to second position, and penalised 30 seconds after he forced Voeckler into the barriers in their two-up sprint.

The decision, according to Luc Leblanc (in his new role as a race official) was just, even though he is an admired of Pétilleau. "I believe that if he held his line, Voeckler would have won the sprint. On the other hand, I think that it is unjust to inflict a 30 second penalty on Stéphane. A downgrading to second place was necessary, but sufficient," said the former World Champion.

Jean Floc'h-Mantes controlled the race, with their strong men Delalande and Locatelli waiting in the wings for an attack. However, it was Pétilleau who escaped with 50 kilometres to go with Voeckler, Dugouchet, Carlot, Geslin, Bonnace, and Heij. Voeckler bided his time in the break, and was certainly strong enough to win the race had he not been hooked by Pétilleau.

Results

1 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Vendée U                      2.51.05
2 Stéphane Petilleau (Fra) Jean Floc'h - Mantes  
3 Pascal Carlot (Fra) CC Nogent-Sur-Oise                 0.01
4 Ludovic Martin (Fra) Jean Floc'h - Mantes              0.04
5 Anthony Geslin (Fra) Vendée U  
6 Jérôme Bonnace (Fra) 23 La Creuse                      0.05
7 Denis Heij (Ned) MGI Fietsen  
8 Denis Dugouchet (Fra) Normandie                        0.12
9 Steffen Lockan (Ger) JSPO Lottusan Cottbus             0.23
10 Michel Lallouet (Fra) Normandie 

General classification after stage 1:

1 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Vendée U                       2.51.05
2 Pascal Carlot (Fra) CC Nogent-Sur-Oise                  0.01
3 Ludovic Martin (Fra) Jean Floc'h - Mantes               0.04
4 Anthony Geslin (Fra) Vendée U  
5 Jérôme Bonnace (Fra) 23 La Creuse                       0.05
6 Denis Heij (Ned) MGI Fietsen  
7 Denis Dugouchet (Fra) Normandie                         0.12
8 Steffen Lockan (Ger) JSPO Lotusan Cottbus               0.23
9 Michel Lallouet (Fra) Normandie  
10 Stéphane Petilleau (Fra) Jean Floc'h - Mantes          0.30