Thomas Voeckler: 'We wanted to attack earlier than everyone else at Worlds so they would think we were idiots'

French boss happily accepts fine for coaching Julian Alaphilippe when it wasn't permitted

Benoit Cosnefroy attacks at the 2021 Road World Championships
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Thomas Voeckler has said the French team's aggressive approach to the World Championships men's road race on Sunday was to make other teams think they were 'idiots'.

The French ultimately proved victorious after Julian Alaphilippe soloed away within 20km to go following several attempts, but their attacking strategy began with over 180km remaining in the brutal 268.3km race in Flanders.

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