Cofidis got close to their first season victory when youngster Christophe Laporte finished second behind Tony Gallopin in the uphill sprint on the fourth stage of the Etoile de Besseges.

"I'm a little disappointed to finish second but it's still Tony Gallopin who took the win," he told Directvelo. "He was the strongest. We agreed at the briefing that the team was going to help me today. The finish suited me fine. Kenneth Vanbilsen positioned me perfectly before the last corner which is the beginning of the climb, 300 meters from the line. I appreciate this kind of climb. 

"I felt good last Sunday at the Grand Prix La Marseillaise. I led out Kenneth, who finished second. I have a good feeling about Etoile de Bessèges. 

"I want to win a race and help the team. In two weeks, there is the Tour du Haut Var on home soil. It may be a little too hard for me so I will try to help Julien Simon. This second place is motivating for the future."