Wesley Kreder took his first podium result for his new Wanty team when he finished 3rd in today's Classique Loire Atlantique. Having been part of the right 12-rider breakaway, the Dutchman hoped to see it come down to a sprint but had no response to the solo attack of eventual winner Alexis Gougeard.

When Vacansoleil folded, talented young Dutchman Wesley Kreder was forced to look for a new home and he was given the chance at the Wanty team which arose from the former Accent.jobs squad. Today the Dutchman started to pay back his new employer when he finished 3rd in the Classique Loire Atlantique.

Kreder made it into the original 19-rider breakaway which was just metres from getting caught at the midpoint of the race. 12 of the riders, including Kreder, refused to give up and managed to reopen their advantage sufficiently to stay away to the finish.

With 7km to go, Alexis Gougeard made a solo attack and Kreder joined forces with Kenneth Vanbilsen as they set off in pursuit. They came to within just a few metres of the leader before they again started to lose ground.

In the end, Kreder had to settle for 3rd behind Gougeard and the faster Vanbilsen but he was pleased with the outcome of the day.

"It's a good result for me," he told Directvelo. "I would have preferred to win or even finish second, but I'm very happy. When we were 19, then 12, I hoped that it would end in a sprint because I like to arrive at the finish in small groups. Alexis Gougeard was too strong. Kenneth Vanbilsen attacked to catch him and I went with him. We got close. Tomorrow I continue with Cholet-Pays de Loire. I hope it will end in a sprint from a small group."