Lining up at the Criterium du Dauphine, Thomas Damuseau promised to chase stage wins, and even though the 25-year old Frenchman missed out on the first occasion to claim coveted victory in the first mountainous stage of the important event, he couldn’t be denied trying as he featured in the day’s breakaway despite being reportedly sick.

Riding at the front had a special taste for Damuseau yesterday, as the peloton was passing the home area of the 25-year old Giant-Shimano rider. Targeting stage victories in the mountainous eight-day event, the young Frenchman was aware that his climbing skills were insufficient to match the leaders group on ascents, and thus made sure to join the day’s breakaway, eventually consisting of Matthias Brändle (IAM Cycling), Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale), Kévin Reza (Europcar) and Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale).

Despite an appearance of highly talented young riders and renowned breakaway artists, it didn’t came as a huge surprise that the breakaway didn’t make it to the finish line, neither that tireless De Marchi was the last escapee to be reeled in by leaders group, with about 7 kilometers to go.

Still, the Giant-Shimano rider was pleased with his own performance on yesterday’s stage and with an opportunity to ride whole day as a protagonist in front of his home crowd.

“I was very motivated, however, I didn’t feel great.. I’ve been sick since the last week what made me feel somewhat beat up during the stage. I couldn’t even eat properly, I just managed to eat a half of an energy bar,” Damuseau told Cyclismactu.

“It was nice to be in front on my home roads, because I live in this area, on the other side of Roanne. I really enjoyed it, however, it wasn’t anything obvious. When legs are not there, you have to fight differently.”

“It was a good day anyway. Hopefully there will be another occasion which I’m going to take, and as they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Damuseau said after finishing yesterday’s stage 73rd, on 10’27’’ to stage winner Chris Froome (Team Sky).

Damuseau successfully fought for a polka dot jersey in last year’s edition of the Criterium du Dauphine, but during yesterday’s stage he wasn’t able to surpass Reza, who took all five KOM sprints before heading to mountaintop finish at the Col du Beal. However, the 25-year old Frenchman still doesn’t rule out targeting mountains classification again.

“I also wanted to fight for points in mountains classification and I collected what was to be taken. We will see in the coming days if there is an opportunity to do something about it.”