Benoît Cosnefroy sprints to brilliant victory at the Boucles de la Mayenne

UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider takes the race lead with his win on stage 2, as the Frenchman sprints from a small group to take the spoils

News | Team –30th May 2026

Benoît Cosnefroy won stage 2 of the Boucles de la Mayenne for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The Frenchman timed his acceleration to perfection and emerged victorious from a reduced sprint to the line in Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson.

With his latest victory for the Emirati squad, Cosnefroy takes control of the race lead from his teammate and prologue winner, Julius Johansen. The 30-year-old will now hope to defend his yellow leader’s jersey in Sunday’s final stage.

It was an attritional affair on Saturday afternoon, with the riders tasked with a 215km-long course and over 3,000m of climbing. Across this terrain, UAE Team Emirates-XRG handled itself well, and Cosnefroy was supported by teammate Ivo Oliveira deep into the race. As the final few climbs of the day reared their head, both riders were well-positioned to take advantage of any opportunity.

Little by little, the main group of the peloton was dwindled down, until just 13 riders remained at the head of the race approaching the final 5km. An assortment of opportunistic attacks flew off the front, but it was always likely to be settled in a small group sprint.

As such, Cosnefroy bided his time and eventually launched his sprint in the final 200m of the stage. Bursting to the front, the Frenchman roared home to take his third victory this month. With his latest win, the 30-year-old seizes control of the general classification and will take big hopes into stage 3.

Cosnefroy: “It’s the first time I ride in such warm weather this season, and it certainly took a toll in my performance. I didn’t have great legs. The GC fight opened up quite early, and I was up there with two teammates to play for it. I got dropped in the last climb, but was able to bridge back along with another rider. I didn’t have that much to lose, yet I waited for the final. Noa Isidore first launched the sprint, and I waited a bit before countering to claim the win.”

Boucles de la Mayenne 2026 stage 2 results:

1. Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 5:12:50

2. Noa Isidore (Decathlon CMA CGM) s.t

3. Vincenzo Albanese (EF Education-EasyPost) s.t

Boucles de la Mayenne 2026 general classification after stage 2:

1. Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 9:08:11

2. Thibaud Gruel (Groupama-FDJ United) +7″

3. Noa Isidore (Decathlon CMA CGM) +12″