French Time Trial Champion Again: Bruno Armirail Successfully Defends Title
Here Comes the Showdown: Armirail vs Vauquelin in French Cycling
Looks like Bruno "The Beast" Armirail has done it again! The guy just won't let the young guns take over. At the French National Time Trial Championship 2025, he snatched the title with a flourish, clocking in at Les Herbiers, Vendée, leaving the ambitious Kevin "The Athlete" Vauquelin and his teammate Paul "The Prodigy" Seixas in his dust.
Bruno, a seasoned vet of 31, cruised through the challenging, 26.5km course with his trademark ferocity, with Kevin and Paul trailing behind, fighting for the silver and bronze medals respectively. If you ask me, it was a well-deserved victory for Bruno, who has been making waves in the cycling world for a while now.
But hold up! Something went wrong for Kevin just as he was about to steal the spotlight. A pesky manhole cover sent him sprawling, gapping the promising youngster by a devastating 21 seconds. Poor Kevin! He fought valiantly to make up for the lost time, but alas, he just ran out of steam at the finish line.
Kevin's unfortunate fall might have cost him the coveted championship title, but it was hardly a damper on his spirits. He was gracious in defeat, acknowledging the impressive performance of Paul and the seemingly invincible Bruno.
Now, Bruno will proudly wear the distinctive jersey of a repeat French National Time Trial Champion for another year. He's already got two other titles under his belt, having won the event in 2022 and 2024. If he plays his cards right, the Tour de France could be next on his list.
Meanwhile, Paul continues his meteoric rise in cycling. Already making a name for himself with his eighth place finish in the general classification of the Criterium du Dauphiné, Paul just proved he's a force to be reckoned with in the time trials. When you're young and talented, anything is possible.
But the real question is, what lies ahead for our two French time trial warriors? With the road race coming up on Sunday, Kevin's eyes will be set on revenge. But Bruno, ever the coach, knows better than to underestimate his young opponent. He's ready to hand over the baton, acknowledging that the future of French cycling might just belong to Kevin.
And speaking of the future, it's looking mighty bright for both these riders. Bruno believes one day, Kevin will take his place as the undisputed champion of French cycling. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, Kevin's got his sights set on Sunday's road race, and with his trademark determination and a little bit of luck, he just might make that happen.
Cédrine Kerbaol, a seasoned competitor and a past champion, reclaimed her French National Time Trial Championship title in a nail-biting race against Juliette Labous and Marion Borras. The road to victory wasn't easy for Cédrine, but her grit and determination shone through as always, earning her the coveted title once again.
Enrichment Insights:Bruno Armirail is a dedicated time trialist with a history of success in national championships and stage races. He has won the French National Time Trial Championship multiple times, including in 2022, 2024, and 2025. Kevin Vauquelin, a promising young athlete, came close to a win at the 2025 event but was derailed by a manhole cover. Paul Seixas, another rising star, finished third in the same race. Armirail's time trial career is marked by consistent performances and a strong pedigree, while the competition between Armirail and Vauquelin is anticipated to continue in the future.
Despite the setback from a manhole cover, Kevin Vauquelin's performance in the French National Time Trial Championship highlighted his potential in sports. Meanwhile, sports veteran Bruno Armirail continues to dominate the cycling world, winning his third national title in the event.
