When a 13-rider group emerged after the Koppenberg in yesterday's Tour of Flanders, it was loaded with pre-race favourites. The surprise package of the day was Ag2r rider Sebastien Minard and even though he faded back to 20th, he put in a great showing in the Belgian classic.

Prior to the Tour of Flanders, all talk in the Ag2r camp had been about new signings Sebastien Turgot and Damien Gaudin who had the status as outsiders for the Flemish classic. When the dust settled after the Koppenberg and a 13-rider group emerged, however, the only surprising name in the move was another Ag2r rider, Sebastien Minard.

The Frenchman tried to play his cards by anticipating the race favourites and put in a number of attacks during the run-in to the final passage of the Kwaremont and Paterberg climbs. He failed to get away and as more riders joined from behind, he had to settle for 20th.

The result was not what Ag2r had expected from the race but sports director Julien Jurdie was pleased to see his domestique step up and produce a splendid performance.

“This Tour of Flanders was a great race, very spectacular on a new selective course," he said. "For our part, we were not able to achieve  our goal which was to get a Top 10 overall but our results are nonetheless satisfying because the team has done its best.

"Davide (Appollonio) was present in the early breakaway but, unfortunately he suffered a puncture and he was not able to defend his chances thoroughly. Damien (Gaudin) tried to anticipate as we decided, without success.

"Finally, Sébastien Minard obtained the team's best result with a good 20th place. He was still with favorites riders 30 kilometers from the finish line and then he could expect a Top 10, personally I thought it was possible.

"The team showed great things today with Sébastien Minard  and the riders I named above, but also with Lloyd Mondory, Steve Chainel and Sébastien Turgot. Hugo Houle and Gediminas Bagdonas did their part by providing an important work. Like other teams, we have not been spared bad luck and we can say that this race was animated for us!”