Bretagne Classic
The Bretagne Classic is a UCI WorldTour one day race held in and around Plouay, a small town in Morbihan in Brittany, western France. Traditionally raced in late August, the French classic is characterised by constantly rolling roads, repeated short climbs and a selective finale around Plouay. The course has changed considerably over the decades, but its demanding terrain has continued to favour puncheurs, Classics specialists and strong sprinters capable of surviving a hard race.
When was the first edition of the Bretagne Classic?
The modern race was first held in 1931 under the name Circuit international de Plouay. French rider François Favé won the inaugural edition ahead of Pierre Le Doaré and André Godinat over a course of around 110 kilometres. The event later became known as the Grand Prix de Plouay.
How did the Bretagne Classic come into existence?
Cycling races had already formed part of Plouay's local Saint Ouen festivities before the creation of the modern event. In 1931, doctor René Berthy, then president of the local festivities committee and later a doctor at the Tour de France, helped establish the Circuit international de Plouay. The race quickly grew in importance and attracted some of the leading French riders of the era.
Its status continued to rise in the following decades. The race joined the UCI ProTour when the competition was introduced in 2005 and became part of the UCI WorldTour in 2011. A major change followed in 2016, when the event was renamed Bretagne Classic and moved away from its traditional format based predominantly on repeated circuits around Plouay towards a longer road race through Brittany before returning for the finale.
Who has won the Bretagne Classic the most times?
No rider has won the Bretagne Classic more than twice. Ten riders share the record with two victories, including Philippe Bono, Éloi Tassin, Jean Gainche, Gilbert Duclos Lassalle and Oliver Naesen.
Naesen is the most recent rider to win the race twice, taking victories in 2016 and 2018. The list of former champions also includes major names such as Sean Kelly, Vincenzo Nibali, Michael Matthews and Wout van Aert.
Where is the Bretagne Classic held?
The race is centred around Plouay in the Morbihan department of Brittany. Both the start and finish traditionally take place in Plouay, while the route ventures onto the rolling roads of the surrounding region before returning to the town for the decisive part of the race.
For much of its history, the event was based on a local circuit that riders completed several times. Since the major redesign in 2016, the organisers have used a broader route through Brittany while retaining the characteristic short climbs and technical roads around Plouay for the finale.
Who won the most recent edition?
Arnaud De Lie won the 2025 Bretagne Classic after a reduced peloton came back together in the closing kilometres. A dangerous late move containing Brandon McNulty, Maxim Van Gils, Louis Barré and former winner Valentin Madouas was caught with just over a kilometre remaining, opening the door for a sprint in Plouay.
De Lie produced the fastest finish to beat Emilien Jeannière, with Olav Kooij completing the podium. It was the Belgian's first victory at the Bretagne Classic.
What classification does the Bretagne Classic have?
The Bretagne Classic is classified as a 1.UWT event, meaning it is a one day race on the UCI WorldTour, the highest level of the international men's road cycling calendar. It first joined the top tier through the UCI ProTour in 2005 and has been part of the WorldTour since that competition replaced it in 2011.
