Trek failed to close the gap to the escapees in the final stage of the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe but in the bunch sprint for sixth, their young sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo confirmed his return to condition after his broken collarbone. Having only been beaten by Nacer Bouhanni, the team is confident that he will be in his best form for the Giro.

Little changed in the final 185-kilometer stage in Circuit Cycliste Sarthe, as race leader Ramunas Navardauskas of Garmin Sharp clinched the overall win, and Fabio Felline held tight to his top 10.

It was an aggressive race, with first a trio of riders escaping and building up a solid lead of seven minutes by 75 kilometers, and when they were when reeled in with still 45 kilometers to go, another pair escaped, that swelled to five, and the chase was on again.

These five would survive to the end, despite a valiant effort in the final kilometers from Trek Factory Racing to close the gap. The team was down to five riders as Boy van Poppel -  a key part of the lead out - stopped the race earlier.

“We tried to close the gap but we were alone in the chase because FDJ and Europcar had someone in the break, and the other teams did not do anything,” explained director Alain Gallopin. “The problem also was that Boy [van Poppel] stopped the race because we got word that he is going to Roubaix, and that is more important than one stage here.  So with only a few guys to work at the end, it was difficult.”

Axel Domont (AG2R-La Mondiale) snagged the victory over his four breakaway companions, and five seconds later the peloton sprinted in for sixth place. Nizzolo would place second in the bunch sprint behind Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr), giving him in seventh place.

Fabio Felline finished in the same time for 20th place, solidifying his 10th place overall.

“Today the race was not that difficult on the circuits at the end," added Gallopin. "Overall, it was good racing by the team, and I think they are ready for the next race.

"Giacomo showed he is close to being back to his top form, and Fabio [Felline] was close to a win yesterday.  [Nacer] Bouhanni is still better than Giacomo right now, but Giacomo is coming. I think this is a good sign.  He will be ready for the Giro.”