Known as a sprinter, Maxime Daniel (Ag2r) was close to his first Ag2r win by riding in an uncoventional way as he took seconds in the first stage of the Tour du Poitou-Charentes by attacking in the finale.

"It was logical to see Arnaud (Gerard) anticipate the sprint," he told Directvelo. "I could not do everything: close the gap and do the sprint behind. I expected that guys like Tony Martin would bring him back so that there would be no gaps overall. It was all good for him as he is very fast in the TT. But it did not happen like that. 

"Arriving in the final corner, I realized it was going to be complicated because the gap was still substantial. Suddenly, I was fine to start the sprint with 350m to go, right out of the turn. I was able to get back, even if I saw Arnaud just metres ahead. I did everything before the line, but it was not enough. I needed 20m more to do so, but it was too late. I passed him immediately after the line. I was very fast, but it's like that. Congratulations to Arnaud, I'm glad he was the one to beat me. He's a nice guy whom I really like. To be second is a disappointment but behind Arnaud, it is okay.

"I'm here to aim the stages and not the overall. I know very well that I will lose some time in the TT. I will try to do the best in the sprint finishes. It's three times I have been on the podium in the first stage of the Tour Poitou-Charentes but I can never finish it off (2nd in 2014 and 3rd in 2013, ed). It gets frustrating, I need this victory. It is still not there, it's like that. 

"Today I was still glad to be up there. I prefer the sprints in small groups, with fewer people around me. You are less likely to be caught out in the last meters. And on the other hand, one can also be trapped in the final kilometers that are so nervous, it's hard to manage. I was faster but I did not win. 

"The victory would have made ​​me really happy because I have struggled since the beginning of the year. It's complicated for me right now and to take second is still good. I do not necessarily feel 100% yet but I still have good legs. I think it is mostly in the head that I'm not the best, I still lack confidence and I must reassure me.  I reassure the team by showing everyone that they can trust me and that I have good qualities. It is simply about manageing these qualities in the best possible way."