With the tailwind, it was an extremely fast Paris-Tours and the selection was made in the first hour.Arnaud Démare, vigilant and strong, made it into a breakaway of 31 riders but he was unable to challenge the victory of Matteo Trentin (Etixx-Quick Step) and had to settle for twelfth place. However, he leaves Tours without any regrets.

"The wind was not very strong," explains sports director Yvon Madiot, "but it was ideal for the formation of echelons. Soon here was a first group of eight riders and then it got a bit bigger in severalwaves."

The group was made up of strong men indeed and Arnaud Démare was in this group. Unfortunately he has no teammates.

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"It would not have changed the scenario because in the finale it was decided by the legs," Madiot said. "On the Cote de Beausoleil, Trentin attacked with Van Avermaet and Van der Sande and Arnaud missed two meters. Nothing more but it was enough and he immediately realized that the race was over. Until then, he had done it perfectly, focusing on Van Avermaet who was also alone. He cannot have regrets because he did well. Then, especially at this time of year, it's the legs that decide things."

The only regret of the sports director is that there were no FDJ riders in the 19-rider countrattack. However, it would not have changed things since this group was unable to make the junction.

"I did not miss much in the finale but it was too difficult," Demare told L'Equipe. "It's the end of season and I did not have extraordinary legs. in the sprint, I could have done much better but I got boxed in a Wanty rider [Roy Jans, ed.] and I thought I was going to crash. I am still satisfied with my day."

It was for the last road race of the season for FDJ before the Chrono des Herbiers time trial next Sunday. The team of Marc Madiot has a total of 15 wins.