Paris-Nice: Démare “It was the first photo-finish of my career!”

Arnaud Démare of Groupama – FDJ comments on his Stage 1 victory at Paris-Nice 2018.

Shocked by his success on a rainy Stage one of the Race to the Sun the Frenchman spoke to a Cycling Pro editor.

“I think it was my first photo finish. I’d never had a photo finish in my career. I was convinced I had taken second place. When they told me that I had won, I said: “Are you sure?!'”

It was the first win for the team under their new guise of Groupama-FDJ. Démare commented that: “Despite feeling a little internal pressure from the team…the name doesn’t change anything for us…what a better way to start with the new sponsor [than with a win].”

“I had to hold my nerve and save my energy in order to be successful in the final straight.  You can see the finish line from far away. It took us some time to get there…I’m really happy to have won, for my club for my colleagues, my friends and my family…” said the Frenchman.