Olivier Le Gac was unable to avoid a bunch sprint in  the first stage of the Tour Eurométropole won by Debusschere (Lotto-Soudal) and FDJ sprinter Marc Sarreau could never really sprint. Johan Le Bon maintains his good overall position.

"Today we decided to focus on Marc Sarreau for the bunch sprint which was the likely outcome and Johan Le Bon to preserve his good GC. However, I had asked us to be vigilant in case of a serious breakaway," sports director Frédéric Guesdon said.

The first attempt of six riders was no problem for the pack. In contrast, the second attempt 25 kilometers from the finish was an alert for the sprinters.

"Olivier Le Gac respected the instructions by accompanying the group, and again by being among the last five riders to survive. They were caught 5 kilometers from the finish and the sprint proved to be complicated behind a strong Lotto-Soudal. With a favorable wind and the last kilometer false flat downhill, you had to be positioned early. The positions under the red flame were those at the finish line. At that time, Marc and his teammates were too far back and did not have time to organize themselves. Marc, led by Mathieu Ladagnous and Lorrenzo Manzin, finished in the top 15," Guesdon said.