Bryan Coquard (Europcar) found himself in the perfect position in the GP de la Somme when he was the fastest rider in the 8-rider break that decided the race. In the end, however, he missed out when three riders attacked and had to settle for fifth.

"I tried to remain well positioned," he told Directvelo. "I was afraid to crash, because I fell twice last week at the Flèche Wallonne and Roue Tourangeelse. The course was very good, I like it when it is lumpy. It was perfect. 

"In the end, we ended up with four in the lead. Then a group rejoined us but there were no teammates. This is what made us lose the race and put me on the defensice. But we had a lot of riders who were recovering.

"There were two riders from AG2R La Mondiale and two from Bretagne. I was not watching Jakin. I was mainly wary of Gaudin whom I know very well, Fedrigo, Loubet. I was trying to do as little as possible but I had to work anyway. But after a while, I said stop. We tried to chase, we stayed at ten seconds. This is the game. The winner did a good race. 

"I will now think of the 4 days of Dunkirk. I am ready. I have been riding very well since the Flèche Wallonne. I'm getting better on the climbs. I hope we win can stages and the  GC. I think we will have two cards in the team, Thomas Voeckler and me."