John Degenkolb won the bunch sprint in the first stage of the Etoile de Besseges but it was only good enough for 7th as a 6-rider breakaway stayed clear to the finish. A puncture for the German at an unfortunate time may have made the difference between catching the breakaway and not.

John Degenkolb won the bunch sprint for seventh on the opening stage of the Étoile de Bessèges today behind the day’s breakaway. The break went early in the stage and quickly built up a healthy advantage before the chase started behind, with Team Giant-Shimano chipping in with the work.

With 50km to go the race split in the crosswinds and Team Giant-Shimano were well represented in the front group. Unfortunately, Degenkolb punctured and found that all of the team cars were behind the second half of the peloton, meaning a long chase back on with the help of his teammates.

They made it back across to the front group but didn’t have the power to pull back the six riders out front.

“It was an unfortunate day for the guys today,” said coach Christian Guiberteau. “When John punctured we were stuck in the convoy behind the second peloton after the race had split into bordures.

“They worked well to make it back up to the front group but couldn’t quite pull the race back together. Hopefully they will have better luck tomorrow.”

Tomorrow’s 149.3km stage from Nîmes to Saint-Ambroix will be a similar profile to today, for the more punchy riders, and the team will head there looking to make up on today’s lost ground.