The 27-year-old, riding for Groupama-FDJ, won the 87th edition of this event after a sprint involving four riders, launching his final effort with 200 metres remaining.

For his second victory of the year. the French champion deliberately left a gap to the other riders in the select front group before launching his sprint to win in 6hr 15min 22sec.

"It’s a dream," said Madouas, who was the first French rider to win the race since it became a World Tour event.

"I am really moved."

A day earlier, Dutch rider Mischa Bredewold had sprinted home to win the women’s title at the Classic Lorient Agglomeration event in Brittany.

Bredewold, 23, on her first ride for Team SD Worx, completed the 159.8 kilometres course around the town of Plouay in 4hr 14min 4sec, winning the group sprint from a lead pack of 29.

Poland’s Marta Lach, representing Ceraztizit-WNT Pro Cycling Team, was second, ahead of Sofia Bertizzolo of Italy, riding for UAE Team ADQ, with Ruby Roseman-Gannon of Team Jayco Alula fourth.

Liane Lippert, riding for Movistar, made a lone break late in the race, gaining a 24-seconds advantage, but was brought back into the chasing pack 4.3km from the finish.

None of the last attempted attacks could get away, and in the sprint Bredewold was not to be denied.

The testing race took its toll, with 38 riders failing to finish in the field of 132.

"I felt really good today, and we had a super-strong team so we were really in control, and then you don’t need to waste too much energy," said Bredewold, after what was her first victory in an International Cycling Union (UC) Women's World Tour one-day race.

"I really like this race, but there’s a lot of road furniture and twisting and turning.

"The sprint is so chaotic and suits me really well.

"I just saw an opening, and then I had to go really early, so I'm completely dead, but I'm super happy to take the win today."