Johan Le Bon wanted to retain the leader's jersey in the Boucles de la Mayenne. With the help of his teammates, he managed to do so in the first stage which was won by Italian Andreas Pasqualon in a sprint.

"The plan was that Olivier Le Gac would join the breakaway if there was a rider from Cofidis or Bretagne . Four riders from continental teams with Koretzky (Team Voralberg), Vaubourzeix (Veranclassic) and Canal (Armee) attacked and we have not done anything to control the race," manager Marc Madiot said.

Yoann Offredo chased for most of the day, only leading the pack which had a maximum delay of 4'15 ''. A short acceleration brought it down to 2'40 ''. Bretagne came to the fore to set the pace.

"They did so for 20km and then they attacked in the finale but it did not split. Once Vaubourzeix was caught, the bunch sprint was a reality. Lorrenzo Manzin was a little too far back at the start of the final straight but the goal was achieved : Johan has retained the jersey."

The second hilly stage from Saint-Pierre-des-Nids to Lassay-les-Châteaux should be decisive. The FDJ team is not worried.

"It was a good day, the FDJ team was very strong," Le Bon told Directvelo. "We worked all day to keep the yellow jersey. We thought about doing the sprint for Lorrenzo Manzin but he found himself lonely in the finale.

"There are still two days to go to defend the jersey. We'll work hard tomorrow. The stage is said to be difficult but it does not scare me. I will do everything to keep the leader's jersey. "