Tony Gallopin was one of four Lotto Soudal riders in the big group that decided Paris-Tours but the Frenchman who had shown good form in Il Lombardia, missed out when three riders attacked in the finale.

"The break wentfrom the start," he told L'Equipe. "I know the roads so I was well placed. When it split in the crosswind, I was in the right group. It was a very hard day and in the end I felt it in the legs. At the bottom of the Cote de Beausoleil (10 kilometers from the finish), I was 4th. It split in front of me and I finished 15th. I lost 20 meters and I did not try to get back. I played the role of teammate for Tosh Van der Sande (2nd). He works hard for others during the year, he deserved to have his chance."