BOURGES, France, Oct 8, 2009 (AFP) – France’s Anthony Ravard claimed victory in the Paris-Bourges semi-classic Thursday, finishing ahead of compatriot Romain Feillu and Denmark’s Matti Breschel.

Ravard, a 27-year-old who rides for the AG2R-La Mondiale team, dominated the bunch sprint for the line after 193.3 km of racing in near perfect conditions.

Both Breschel and Feillu returned earlier this week from the world road race championships in Geelong, Australia, where Breschel finished second behind Thor Hushovd of Norway.

Ravard thus claims his fifth victory of the season, succeeding German sprinter Andre Greipel of HTC-Columbia.

1. Anthony Ravard (FRA/AG2R-La Mondiale)
les 193,3 km en 4 h 36:52.
(moyenne: 41,890 km/h)
2. Romain Feillu (FRA/VAC) m.t.
3. Matti Breschel (DEN/SAX) m.t.
4. Romain Matheou (FRA/SAU) m.t.
5. Sébastien Chavanel (FRA/FDJ) m.t.
6. Robin Chaigneau (NED/SKS) m.t.
7. Bernhard Eisel (AUT/THR) m.t.
8. Laurent Pichon (FRA/BSC) m.t.
9. Nadir Haddou (FRA/AUB) m.t.
10. Michel Kreder (NED/GRM) m.t.
11. Leonardo Duque (COL/COF) m.t.
12. Alexandre Pichot (FEA/BTL) m.t.
13. Dimitri Claeys (BEL/APP) m.t.
14. Samuel Dumoulin (FRA/COF) m.t.
15. Cédric Pineau (FRA/RLM) m.t.
16. Xavier Florencio (ESP/CTT) m.t.
17. Gert Steegmans (BEL/RSH) m.t.
18. Thomas Damuseau (FRA/SKS) m.t.
19. Rob Ruygh (NED/VAC) m.t.
20. Juan Jose Oroz (ESP/EUS) à 09.
…
58. David Moncoutié (FRA/COF) 16.
62. Frédéric Guesdon (FRA/FDJ) 16.
72. Adam Hansen (AUS/THR) 38.
75. Benoît Vaugrenard (FRA/FDJ) 49.
84. Thomas Voeckler (FRA/BTL) 1:33.
86. Jonathan Hivert (FRA/SAU) 1:58.