Having shown great form in Paris-Nice, Anthony Delaplace (Bretagne) got close to breaking a long drought when he finished third in Classique Loire Atlantique.

"I have always believed in my chances," he told Directvelo. "We were fifteen riders in the break. We got clear about 2.5 kilometers from the finish. Marco Marcato and I took the wheel of Alexis Gougeard. I thought we were heading for a 3-rider sprint but he jumped off the wheel in the crosswinds with less than 2km to go. We were helpless. It was over. What counts in cycling is to win, unfortunately we came across a stronger rider. 

"I have a big April ahead of me, with races that suit me well. I won't do Cholet-Pays de Loire tomorrow because we leave on Wednesday for Corsica where we will do Clasica Corsica and the Criterium International. I will then do Paris-Camembert, Circuit de la Sarthe, Brabantse Pijl, Tro Bro Leon and the Tour de Bretagne. It is a big program. 

"We must make choices, I told myself that I would do one good race this weekend instead of two average races. I came out of Paris-Nice, I wanted to try to win ahead of my Aprial races. This result will take away the pressure. I have not won a race in four years. I wonder if I am still capable of taking a win. I have always believed in myself and I was right. It almost happened today in this Classic Loire Atlantique."