April 22, 2014 (France) – We received the following comments, write up and photos from BC’s Nigel Elssay who’s racing in Europe for the Sojasun Hope – ACNC and just completed the Circuit du Mené, a single day U23 men’s 2-stage race in France where he ended up 5th overall.

Hi Pedal… I thought might let you know that I just finished 5th at the French Federal Nationale Espoir, Circuit du Mené. I was 8th in the TT. In the road race I spent the last 110km in the break which was gobbled up by the yellow jersey chase group at 6km from the finish. I finished 5th on GC.

The 130km Stage 2 road race saw Arnaud Deschamps (VC Rouen 76) and Alexandre Delétang (Army) open a 15-second gap after 6km ahead but they were caught at the 20km mark.

At 40km a group of 17 riders formed including Alexander Delétang , Kevin Lebreton and Christopher Piry (Army); Florian Cam (EC Landerneau) ; Gaetan Anger (Laval Cycling 53); Ivan and Nicolas Gicquiau January (CD Morbihan); Mathias The Turnier (Ocean U- Top 16) Stefan Bennett (Country Olonnes Cycling Coast of Light ); Nigel Ellsay and Franck Lemonnier (Sojasun Hope – ACNC) ; Brennan Townshend (Team Bricquebec Cotentin); Axel Journiaux and Florian Richeux (Team Country Dinan); Steven Sutherland (USSA Pavilly Barentin) ; Alexis Carlin and Peter Tielemans (VC Rouen 76).

At 50 km the lead was 1 min with 10 guys now out front as Army lead the train behind to maintain the gap to the chasing peloton. Then Alexandre Delétang and Christopher Piry (Army) attacked.

At 20km from the finish, Piry was joined by three riders Nicolas January (CD Morbihan), Axel Journiaux (Team Pays de Dinan ) and Dylan Kowalski (VC Rouen 76) as Delétang faded. Kowalski was now in position to threaten race leader Bruno Armirail (E C Armee de Terre).

The four leaders started the last lap and in the end Kowalski attacked to finish alone with a 10-second gap over Piry with Journiaux taking 3rd. Amirail crossed the line at 16s behind Kowalski who claimed the overall. Ellsay finished 13th to finish 5th on GC

Full results here.