Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r) had hoped to end his spring campaign on a high by taking another top result in a WorldTour stage race at the Tour de Romandie but the Frenchman lost all hopes in yesterday's queen stage. Losing more than 12 minutes to stage winner Simon Spilak, he now hopes to do well in the final time trial.

With an overall win in the Criterium International, a podium spot on the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and fourth at Tirreno-Adriatico, Jean-Christophe Peraud has been one of the in-form riders this spring. With the Tour de Romandie offering a course loaded with time trials and some hard climbing, the Frenchman had hoped to end the first part of the season with another strong showing in the Swiss race.

However, it wasn't to be for the veteran. Having already performed below expectations in the prologue, the Frenchman realized in yesterday's queen stage that a hard spring campaign has finally caught up with him. Despite staring the final climb in the front group, he exploded completely and lost more than 12 minutes to stage winner Simon Spilak.

Ag2r have had a fantastic spring season and been a factor in almost all WorldTour stage races so far. However, the team is out of the GC battle in Romandie as their other climbers Alexis Vuillermoz, Maxime Bouet and Mikael Cherel didn't fare much better than their captain.

“It was a difficult day with four first category hills to climb, rain and cold weather," sports director Julien Jurdie said. "On this kind of stage you have to be in an excellent shape if you want a chance to do well at the finish.

"Maxime (Bouet), Alexis (Vuillermoz), Mika (Cherel) and JC (Péraud) were still present at the foot of the last climb but, as many riders, they exploded. Jean-Christophe tried to hang on in the pack but he stepped back and at last, he cracked. It was maybe only a day without good feelings, we will know more about his shape on Sunday with the individual time trial.”