Yesterday Alexis Gougeard took the white jersey in th Etoile de Besseges when he made it into the first echelon that stayed away to the finish. Having defended his jersey in the flat second stage that came to a halt three times due to the cold, the Frenchman plays down his overall prospects.

"The day was complicated to manage with these three stops," he told Directvelo. "I'm not in great shape. For the most difficult stages, it will be difficult for me. I'll go without pressure. What I've done is fine with me. I will give the maximum to keep the jersey and my place overall. I will certainly not be the protected rider of our team."

"t's another hard day," sports director Stephane Goubert said after stage 2. "We are in south of France but the weather is very unpleasant. The race stopped  three times but continued. Like often in Les Fûmades, a crash occured one kilometer from the finish line. Maxime Daniel who could hope for a good result today, has been stopped and Guillaume Bonnafond suffers from a light knee injury. Fortunately, every one is safe. Tomorrow is a difficult course and we have to be careful. A solo victory is possible."