Published September 20, 2022 07:33AM
UCI Road World Championships: Benoît Cosnefroy in Australia for late-hour addition for French
The recent winner of GP de Québec will give Julian Alaphilippe an important wingman in Sunday's elite men's road race.
Benoit Cosnefroy, shown here winning the 85th Bretagne Classic - Ouest-France 2021, could be heading to the worlds. (Photo: Luc Claessen/Getty Images)
Benoît Cosnefroy arrived in Australia in an overnight flight and will be a late-hour addition to defending champions France ahead of Sunday’s elite men’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships.
French daily L’Equipe first reported that the recent winner of the GP du Québec would fly to Australia to play wingman to two-time defending champion Julian Alaphilippe.
The Ag2r-Citroën rider confirmed last week he would not be racing the worlds despite solid form heading into the second half of the season.
Cosnefroy said he’s been in touch with French national coach Thomas Voeckler, and the rushed trip was arranged just in time for Sunday’s big race.
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France won back-to-back world titles with Alaphilippe, but the French rider on Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl suffered through a rough and tumble 2022 marked by crashes and illness.
Alaphilippe missed the Tour de France and crashed out of the Vuelta a España.
Cosnefroy, winner of the 2017 U23 world title, would replace one of the confirmed French starters.
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Other leaders include Christophe Laporte, who is the team’s card to play if the race comes down to a reduced bunch sprint.