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SANNOIS, Apr 30 (CP) - Bouygues Telecom rider Didier Rous has won the 80th edition of the French Trophée des Grimpeurs. Belgian Philippe Gilbert and home rider Tristan Valentin finished respectively second and third. The race had its start and finish respectively in Argenteuil and Sannois over a total distance of 137.3 kilometres. Shortly after the start a breakaway was formed when Frenchmen Rous and his teammate Walter Bénéteau attacked. After them a group was formed and the peloton did not react anymore at all. The weather conditions were very bad but Rous managed to stay in front and win the race. His teammate was caught by the chasing group, where last year's winner Gilbert seemed to be the strongest and occupied the second spot. After winning the French race in 2001 and 2003, it's Rous' third victory with which he equals Pierre Bachellerie's performance who won the race in 1924, 1926 and 1927. Race results: 1. Didier Rous (Fra-BTL) 3h17'46" 2. Philippe Gilbert (Bel-FDJ) 0'15" 3. Tristan Valentin (Fra-COF) 2'48" 4. Walter Bénéteau (Fra-BTL) 4'29" 5. Maxime Médérel (Fra-AUB) 6'20" 6. Jérôme Pineau (Fra-BTL) 7'14" 7. Karl Menzies (Aus-HNC) 9'46" 8. Jean-Luc Delpech (Fra-BJF) 9'48" 9. Gilles Canouet (Fra-AGR) 9'52" 10. Garrett Peltonen (USA-HNC) 9'55"

© Jeroen Michiels