Alexis Gougeard defended his title after a very tough edition of Classique Loire Atlantique when he emerged as the strongest from a 15-rider breakaway. Below you can read the reaction from two of his breakaway companions.

"Before the break got clear, I had a good time," Sebastien Delfosse (Wallonie) told Directvelo. "There was a fall where we lost some riders. Then 15 riders got clear. I was a little scared because the legs were terrible at that time but I still had teammates behind. Then it got better throughout the race. 

"I did not follow the right wheels in the finale. I came here to win with good legs. It's a big disappointment. I don't get many chances so it is frustrating not to win. In Cholet-Pays de Loire tomorrow, I will do everything to make sure that we don't have to leave the weekend disappointed We also Antoine Demoitié who is doing well." 

"The right break was formed in two steps," Romain Combaud (Armee) told Directvelo. "First 8 riders attacked and I was part of it. I was lucky because it was the first time I made a move. Before that, [teammates] Julien Duval and Yann Guyot had done a big job It's a bit silly that they did not get a reward. 

"I did not quite believe in myself in the finale. I knew Alexis Gougeard worked very hard. I was missing a little. I was too afraid of fast riders like Sébastien Delfosse and Kévin Reza. But I was still in front again, I hope that it will soon pay off. If I had more confidence, I could have made a top 5 today. This result proves that I'm still as good as I was in the Tour du Haut Var and at the Classic Sud-Ardeche. It means that I have turned a corner. The team has again shown the jersey, now it is time to go for a good result."