"I had a good feeling throughout the race, and I really wanted to win today." Julien Loubet has big regrets. Being very strong in the 15th edition of the Classic Sud-Ardèche, the Team Marseille 13-KTM rider finally had to settle for second place behind Argentina's Eduardo Sepulveda (Bretagne Séché Environnement). 

The day had well started for the Marseille team with the presence of neo-pro Clement Penven in the first serious breakaway of the day. Then Julien Loubet took over by attacking with Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quick Step). 

"At that time, there were still two laps, but I felt very strong. As a climber-puncher, I did not want to wait for a sprint finish between 15-20 riders," he told DirectVelo com.

Having been caught by a strong group, Loubet attacked on the penultimate climb.

"I had to try," he insisted. After a big solo move, Julien Loubet was caught by the eventual winner - Eduardo Sepulveda - at the foot of the last climb.

" I had a very big crsis with three kilometers to go. Suddenly, I no longer had any legs. I even thought that I was going to be caught." 

Loubet was able to keep the chasers at bay but the win was beyond his reach. "When he accelerated with 500m to go, I could not catch his wheel. When the legs don't respond at the last moment, it's a shame. But it's cycling." 

A few minutes after the finish, Julien Loubet was obviously disappointed. 

"I really felt it was possible. I gave the maximum on the final straight ." 

Second place still very encouraging for the next races. 

"I'm glad to get back to that level. I showed nice things in this race. My legs are great but it may be necessary to change my race strategy."