Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r) took an important step towards overall win in the Tour de l'Eurometropole when he finished with the bunch in the hardest road stage of the race, mainitaining his 3-second advantage over Martijn Keizer.

"My day went well," he told Directvelo. "I was well placed throughout the day in the first 25-30 positions of the pack. I've never been in trouble. It's a pity that Jens Debusschere had a puncture in the final kilometers. It's a shame to lose an opponent in that way. This kind of mishap could also happen to me. I certainly have not won the race, especially as the nervousness is big in the bunch."