Maxime Daniel is only third in the internal spriting hierarchy on the Ag2r-La Mondiale team but in the Tour du Poitou-Charentes he has got a rare chance to ride for himself. Today he sprinted to second in the opening stage, grabbing his chance with both hands.

Maxime Daniel was signed by the Ag2r team as an upcoming sprinter but with Yauheni Hutarovich and Davide Appollionio also on the roster, he has mostly been working as a domstique. Today he showed his talent when he finished second behind Mark Cavendish in the first stage of the Tour du Poitou-Charentes.

"Today we did not chase unlike many other teams, but we still remained cautious, always near the front," he told Directvelo. "We wanted to protect Jean-Christophe Péraud and Christophe Riblon. Then, as it was expected that to finish in a sprint, we protected me in the finale.

"I got a good second place, it makes me really happy. That is encouraging. Compared to last year when I was the only sprinter on the Sojasun team, I have many fewer opportunities this season with Ag2r. There is no rivalry between Yauheni (Hutarovich), Appollonio and me. They are older than me. It is quite normal for me to be there to help the team. 

"But it is true that as a result, when I am given a chance, I have to seize it. I need to show that I belong in this team and that Ag2r had a reason to trust me. Today I found that I had good speed in the sprint. That will put me at ease. And I hope it will also reassure the rest of the team. 

"Second place behind Cavendish leaves less regret than another second place. Second is good but next time I will still try to do better."