Unlike the past two years, Arthur Vichot has not contested the sprint in Marseille and he did not finish in the top 10 of the opening French race, the GP La Marseillaise which was won by Pim Lighthart. Despre an anonymous performance, FDJ Sports director Yvon Madiot was satisfied with his troops.

Held in cold conditions the race was animated by the breakaway of five riders, Dunne (An Post-ChainReaction), Duval (Armee), Veuchelen (Wanty Group Gobert), Tronet (Auber 93) and Vaubourzeix (Veranclassic-Ekoi) who had a maximum advantage of 10'15  peloton before Ag2R-La Mondiale and Bretagne-Séché Environnement started to chase. The last two escapees, Tronet and Veuchelen, were caught on the Col de la Gineste, the last climb of the day.

"Like every year, there was headwind in the final and it was useless to attempt a an attack on the final climb," Madiot said. "There were still 70 riders in the peloton, six from FDJ. Benoît Vaugrenard and Anthony Geslin were dropped on the Espigoulier climb which was climbed at a very fast pace. Before Gineste, the guys rode well positioned in the race but then, there was not much to hope for. Overall, we are where we have to be."

As soon as the race was over, the sports director and the riders travelled to Nimes where they will prepare the Etoile de Bessèges which begins on Wednesday in Bellegarde.