Cyril Lemoine (Cofidis) nearly made up for the disappointment of missing out on Tour de France selection when he was caught less than one kilometre from the finish of stage 3 of the Tour de Wallonie.

"It's been a long time since I have done so many kilometers in front of the race," he told Directvelo. "I felt good so I found myself in front. We were four and then we waited Ludwig De Winter to be five. We all cooperated well. Perhaps I did a little too much. The gap became interesting and the feelings were still good. I said I would attack on the penultimate climb. I did that, with Antoine Duchesne for company.

"At the bottom of the Citadel, I accelerated again and found myself alone. I knew they were returning but I believed in it. Unfortunately, the gap melted like snow in the sun. And then, after more than 200km in the breakaway, the legs were tired. In the final 800 meters, I saw Philippe Gilbert who passed me and then it was definitely over. 

"I also took a lot of points for secondary classifications. We'll see what it can give, if I can possibly win a jersey. But first I want to concentrate on the stage win and there is still some potential to get one."