GP Ouest France - Plouay (FRA) - 25.08.2008

The Brittany region in northwest France has created many great riders in the past, and the GP Ouest France - Plouay race is always a celebration of French cycling at its best. Thousands of passionate Breton cycling fans fill the course and enjoy a great weekend of racing with first the women’s race and then the men’s races.

Plouay has hosted the UCI Road World Championships in the past and the event organisation is always world class. As a result, riders love to ride the GP Ouest France and it is one of the big objectives of the season, especially for the French riders.

In 2006 an extra climb was added to the circuit, increasing the lap distance to 20km and making a more selective race. Vincenzo Nibali, of the Liquigas team won in 2006 by outsmarting the sprinters, and last year Thomas Voeckler of the Bouygues Télécom team won in similar style.

He attacked on the final climb and crossed the line with his arms in the air, two seconds ahead of the main peloton. It was the Frenchman’s only UCI ProTour win of the season and gave his career a big boost, confirming that he has the talent for well-timed attacks.

In 2008 many other riders will be hoping for a similar success as they chase UCI ProTour points.