The balance was the same in Châteaulin yesterday as it had been in Plumelec last Saturday. The FDJ team had done an excellent race, had the means to win but missed the last bit of luck.

Johan Le Bon,who had a very convincing comeback, was caught 300 meters from the finish line.

"Regarding the attitude, there is nothing to say," manager Marc Madiot said. "My riders have done a great weekend. Today, they were again present in the race and did everything to turn the race into their favor. Only race circumstances deprived them of a result."

In the rain, it was an extremely fast start that made it impossible for anyone to escape during the first two hours. Jérémy Roy was the instigator of a first serious attack, joined by five riders and later by Pierre Rolland (Europcar).

Although they had Senechal in the front group, Cofidis chased all day and with two laps to go, the escapees were caught. First by a group where Laurent Pichon was very active and later by another with Johan Le Bon.

At the start of the last lap, Laurent Pichon attacked. When he was with 5km to go, Le Bon made his move. Author of a very good effort, he had a gap of 13 seconds under the red kite bu was caugh when Florian Vachon sacrificed himself for Pierrick Fedrigo.

"Pierrick was about to launch the sprint but saw Laurent Pichon on his wheel and changed his mind," Madiot said. "This was an advantage for the two riders from Auber 93, Jakin and Tronet, who arrived in that order. Laurent finished third. Johan was legitimately disappointed. He did not missmuch, but I am betting he will win the prologue in the Boucles de la Mayenne on Thursday."

"This is a beautiful result even if it would have been better to win," Pichon told Directvelo. "I tried everything and in the end I focused on Pierrick. Jakin went from afar. I launched my sprint 150 meters from the finish. On the last lap he joined me with a solo effort, he seemed to have good legs. Steven Tronet managed to pass me before the line so perhaps the victory would still have been difficult to get.

"When everyone was together in the end, I attacked. I was counting on the public to help me get over the climb. When I was caught, I was a little empty and I made it clear to Johan that it was for him to attack. I tried to destroy the chase when he was alone but had to give up when Florian Vachon went full gas. He did not stay away and was caught on the last climb.

"The rest of the program for me is the Criterium du Dauphine, the French Championships and then we'll see."