Chavanel wins sixth French TT

Futuroscope - IAM rider Sylvain Chavanel has won the French national time-trial title for a sixth time on Thursday, over 47.8km near his home town of Poitiers in west central France.

Despite being hampered by a heavy downpour, Chavanel finished 17sec ahead of FDJ.fr rider Anthony Roux with Maxime Bouet of AG2R La Mondiale third at 1min 17sec.

The 34-year-old already holds the record for national titles in the time-trial after his victories in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2013.

"Some might say it's only a national time-trial title but I had to fight for it," said Chavanel.

"I really enjoyed it, it was fantastic to race on my training routes, the time went by very quickly."