Despite hopeful start, France ultimately played no major role at World Championship: Sivakov explains why

“I didn't have a great feeling about this world championship,” the 28-year-old Frenchman said after the race in front of the Eurosport camera. “I didn't feel great. I didn't have a good day. I had hoped for more, but I didn't have the legs. That's part of cycling,” said the number fifteen in the day's results.

This was despite the French having been so active in the opening phase. Julien Bernard joined the early breakaway, and Julian Alaphilippe, who had been designated the “soul of the team” by national coach Thomas Voeckler, also attacked early on. The Tudor rider soon paid the price for his efforts, as he dropped out after only 22 kilometers.

“The conditions here in Africa are really unpredictable,” said Sivakov, explaining the French team's poor performance. “We've had some bad luck with a few minor viruses in the team over the past few days. That certainly didn't help,” said the UAE rider, pointing to a reason for the poor performance.

Early breakaway rider Bernard said after the race that both Alaphilippe and Louis Barré had struggled in the run-up to Sunday. The Intermarché-Wanty rider would therefore drop out halfway through the race. In addition to Alaphilippe, Barré, and Bernard, Valentin Madouas and Jordan Jegat also failed to reach the finish line.

“Still, I think we can be proud – we gave it our all until the finish,” Sivakov said positively after the race. “Everyone knew this would be a race full of suffering and exhaustion, and that's exactly what it turned out to be.”