After having worked for Tom Boonen yesterday, Marcel Kittel proved that he is ready to lead Germany at the Worlds when he powered to victory in the GP de Fourmies. Having jumped onto the Frenchman’s wheel, he came around Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) in the bunch sprint and narrowly held off a fast-finishing Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) to take his first win since the Tour de France.

We have gathered a few reactions.

Marcel Kittel: I had to win to show that I deserve to lead Germany in Qatar

Marcel Kittel returned to winning ways, one day after helping Tom Boonen take the honors in Brussels Cycling Classic, by roaring over the line victorious in the Grand Prix de Fourmies, one of the most important races in the Coupe de France calendar. Following a flawless display of his Etixx – Quick-Step teammates, who controlled the breakaway and made sure of setting him up for the final kilometer, the 28-year-old defeated two home riders, Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) and Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie), for his 12th success of 2016, a year which saw Kittel celebrate wins across six different countries.

The sprint was a highly contested one, but supported by a great Etixx – Quick-Step squad – who drilled the pace and handily placed him at the front – Marcel Kittel rolled across the line first, out-kicking all his opponents.

"It was another hard day in the saddle, with harsh weather conditions and a tough course, and that's what makes this victory even more special. Racing twice in a week-end isn't easy, but I'm content with how things have panned out for me and the team, with two victories", Marcel Kittel said following his 12th win of the year. "After working for Tom yesterday, today it was my turn to go for the sprint and everything worked out as planned. The team was great and I must thank the guys for their help! I jumped early in the sprint, but was able to keep the power and this brings me much satisfaction. My confidence is strong, the shape is there and I'm getting better and better with every race I do. This shows that I'm ready for the final part of the season.

"I worked a lot for Tom Boonen on Saturday. Today he did so for me. This victory is important because I'm not in a good position for the Worlds. Everybody wants to be leader and we are three: Andre Greipel, John Degenkolb and me. It's a complicated situation for us. We are three top sprinters and we all have a chance if we get to play our card. But as we only have six riders we cannot afford to have all sprinters at the start. 

"Everyone is trying to position themselves. I know it will be decided on sporting reasons and that's why I had to win today to show that I'm running for selection."

Sam Bennett back on form with top 10 in Fourmies

Bora-Argon 18 formed up to bring Sam Bennett in a good position for the final sprint. He had good legs and finished 8th.

“Sam delivered a good performance today. He is now in a good shape after the Tour de France. He had good legs today, it wasn´t enough in the final sprint for a result on the podium. But we are happy with his 8th place. And Shane [Archbold] was often in front of the race,” sports director Christian Pömer said.

Fabio Aru pleased with comeback race in Fourmies

It was the return to racing for Fabio Aru after the positive experience at the Olympic Games and a month of training.

“I'm really happy with the sensations I had today,” said Fabio Aru after the finish. “I was looking forward to be back in racing after almost a month of training and the ‘answers’ I was waiting for arrived.

“We tried to escape in the first kms but the bunch came back to us. Then, after the escape of the day was cancelled, some of my team mates tried to attack. Lutsenko’s move was so good but not enough to cross the finish line in first. I tried again too but unsuccesfully. Then there was a bunch sprint and I’m not good at this… I’m positive, good sensations and mind focused to the next races in Canada.”

The first Astana Pro Team rider was Ruslan Tleubayev in 14th.

Frustration for Sacha Modolo in bunch sprint in Fourmies

Lampre-Merida focused the attention on the support of Modolo. The blue-fuchsia-green riders were in the front positions of the bunch in the final kilometers. Modolo was led out by Kump and Ferrari on the right side of the road. Unfortunately, Lampre-Merida’s trio could not find the necessary space to move up and Modolo could not battle for the front positions in the sprint, crossing the finish line in 23rd place.

“The whole team worked properly during the race,” sports director Orland Maini explained. “It was obvious that the breakaway woul not have chances, considering the control by the bunch, so we focused our energy on the support to Modolo. Once again, Mohoric and Rui Costa were at the head of the peloton in the final part of the course and they were ready to join attacks. Modolo had no luck, because he was on the right side of the road and he found the doors closed there.”