Pierrick Fedrigo (FDJ) finally took his first victory when he outsprinted his companions in a late 4-man escape in today's Paris-Camembert. Earlier in the day, the win was, however, not on the Frenchman's mind as he was on the verge on giving up on another very cold and rainy day in France.

The weather has been the main source of discussion throughout the early part of the racing season and one week into the month of April, it does not seem to get any better. Today's Paris-Camembert was another race hampered by severe climatic conditions, and the rain and cold was about to claim a very prominent victim.

Eventual winner Pierrick Fedrigo struggled in the early part of the race and had the weather not cleared up towards the end of the race, he would probably not have celebrated his first season victory this afternoon.

"I can say that I had a bad day," he explained I was on the verge of giving up, I was so cold. My teeth were chattering. And then the weather cleared up and my body warmed up a bit. We arrived at the hard part of the race and I was still there," Fedrigo says

Fedrigo outsprinted Sylvain Georges (Ag2r), Pierre Rolland (Europcar) and Julien Antomarchi in a sprint from a late breakaway group. Known for his fast finish, the FDJ rider has won numerous Tour stages in a similar fashion, and improved feelings made him believe in his chances.

"In the end, I was able to join the move as the finish line approached," he said. "I believed in it because my feelings were not terrible. I made my sprint and I had time to raise my arms. I'm happy. I saw the photos of the arrival and we're all completely dead!"

Knew that Rolland was the man to follow

The group had gone clear on the final climb, the Mur in Champeaux, and the experienced Fedrigo knew that the in-form winner of the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe, Rolland, was the man to follow.

"I knew that the wheel to follow was Rolland's," he explained. "When he accelerated near the top of the Mur in Champeaux, I was just behind him and as we ended up with two other good riders, Georges and Antomarchi. Then I realized that I had a chance."

A consistent season

Fedrigo has been close a number of times this year but so far the victory has eluded. He was in the top 10 in 4 French stage races, the Etoile de Besseges, Tour du Haut Var, Criterium International and Circuit Cycliste Sarthe, and has been very consistent all year.

The Paris-Camembert is a race perfectly suited to his characteristics but until now he never had the chance to fight for the victory. This year the stars aligned, and he secured a victory which in a certain was destined to end on his palmares.

"Oh yes! It feels good to win, he said."Paris-Camembert is a race with man famous winners and after my top 10 results in stage races this season, it's good to raise the arms. This race is made for me but in a strange way I have not had the opportunity to play my own cards. Two years ago, I was in the service of Sandy Casar who absolutely wanted to win and I finished fifth. This time I have worked for myself."

"This victory is good news, and nobody can take it away from me," he continued. "I have been on the bike on a daily basis. I do not need to be spurred on by my surrounding, but I also know that if I had listened to my own sensations, I would not have won today. I was wrong, and it was fantastic to cross the finish line. I can only say that I am very happy."

Fedrigo will now line up in the Tour du Finistere on Saturday before he targets the last two of the Ardennes Classics, the Fleche Wallonne and the Liege-Bastogne-Liege.