Aubin Sparfel did not win, and neither did his Decathlon CMA CGM team, but the young cyclo-cross specialist still left a strong impression on Saturday during stage two of the Boucles de la Mayenne, the decisive day for the general classification. The 20-year-old rider took satisfaction from a team plan that gave him freedom to attack in the final kilometers while teammate Noa Isidore stayed sheltered behind in case the stage ended in a sprint.
Speaking after the finish to DirectVelo, Sparfel said the team had trusted him to anticipate the decisive move late in the race. He explained that both riders shared the workload well and that he was pleased with how he managed his effort. Although the stage did not bring victory, the performance underlined the team’s aggressive approach on a day when being active in the race was essential.
Sparfel admitted there was some disappointment inside the squad because Isidore finished second and remains without a win this season despite consistently being in contention. He said he tried to support his teammate, but the effort left him completely exhausted by the finish. Even so, the result confirmed the strength of Decathlon CMA CGM on a demanding course.
The French rider also highlighted the value of having experienced names around him in a high-level race. He said it was impressive to see teammates such as Olav Kooij helping him when he had dropped back toward the team cars, a moment he described as unexpected and memorable. For Sparfel, that support reflected the collective commitment inside the team and helped make the stage feel special.
The 215-kilometer stage created a hard and long day in the saddle, and Sparfel said his late attack came when he saw an opening and decided to go all in. He described the move as the longest effort of his career so far and said it was very difficult to sustain such an attack with only about 10 minutes left in the race. Despite the physical toll, he believes the experience shows that similar opportunities may be possible in the future.
For Sparfel, the stage represented more than just a near miss. He called it a superb week and suggested that the performance was an encouraging sign for what he can achieve next. Even without the win, the day offered confirmation of his ability to play an active role in a major race and to handle pressure in the final kilometers of a long, selective stage.
