Ag2r ended a mostly anonymous Etoile de Besseges with a 12th place for Lloyd Mondory in the final sprint stage. Despite the lack of results, the team is convinced that the race was important preparation for the classics.

"Lloyd was not in a good position for the final sprint," sports director Gilles Mas said. "In my opinion, he could hope for a first top ten today. Dubaï Tour was a good preparation for the classics. We will start the Flandrien classicis on February 28 at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad."