Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) was the pre-race favourite for Paris-Tours but both the sprinter and the rest of his Cofidis teammates were absent when the decisive 31-rider got clear in the windy opening part of the race.

"Nacer  is disappointed and tired," manager Yvon Sanquer told L'Equipe. "He has done a lot of racing. We were not sufficiently well placed, not vigilant enough when the break went. The gap to the leading group stayed at 45 seconds for ten kilometrees, but it was difficult to reverse the trend when you look at the compotision of the breakaway. When they are riding at 52km/h, you have to do 55 behind to close the gap." 

Bouhanni will end his season in tomorrow's Nationale Sluitinjsprijs where he hopes to secure the overall win in the Europe Tour.