After crashing out of the Vuelta a Espana while sitting in the top 20, Stephane Rossetto (Cofidis) returned with a bang by finishing third in the Tour du Gevaudan.

"The start was fast, FDJ controlled with the help of Bretagne," he told Directvelo. "Without their help, the break with Nicolas Edet would certainly have made it. A good tempo was set during the first passage of the Jalabert climb. At the second passage, we accelerated and Kenny Elissonde practically did everything. 

"In the end, many teams were still represented. Thomas Voeckler tried to attack and Yoann Bagot countered. Then I made an acceleration. You never know what can happen. The goal was to have no regrets. I finished on the podium overall, it's a good thing knowing I would not be physically and mentally 100% two weeks after my crash in the Vuelta

"Furthermore, following this crash, I learned that I was not selected for the World Championship time trial even though I was very motivated. It's a shame, it would have been a nice experience. Anyway, this year I discovered the Grand Tours with the Vuelta. This is something different like the historical classics. Next year, I want to be in the Tour de France. "