Bert-Jan Lindeman of the Rabobank Continental Team took a surprise win to show he deserves to return to the top level of cycling. After his former team Vacansoleil folded, he joined Rabobank. Dan Martin of Garmin finished third on the stage.

Nobody was able to catch Lindeman, so the peloton had its own fight on the last climb. Romain Bardet saw his opportunity for an attack, which Martin wasn’t able to follow.

”The weather was really bad early on in the race with lots of rain, but it’s the same conditions for every rider. I wanted to test my legs and make an effort. It was a good test. My legs felt good, but a few more days of racing will do a lot for me,” Martin said to Directvelo.

Martin says he felt good on the last climb, but when Bardet attacked he couldn’t do anything about it. He was simply too strong.

“The start was a little tough to me, so I felt my legs in the final. I didn’t see the attack from Romain Bardet at the bottom of the Menthieres. He quickly took 100 meters. I started to realise he was too far away. I felt good, but it was already over. He was super strong coming out of the Tour de France. I start to feel strong and will recover for the stage of Saturday.”