Having attacked a lot in the Tour de France, Pierre-luc Perichon (Bretagne) was again on the offensive in stage 2 of the Tour de l'Ain.

"We had been asked to make an attacking race," he told Directvelo. "This is what we have done today by placing riders in every break. I finally had the opportunity to join the day's breakaway. We wanted to play with Cofidis, but as they were supported by other teams, it proved impossible. With four against nine, we had not only the slightest chance. I never believed in it.

"Our group got too much of an advantage too quickly. The Bora Argon rider (Cristian Salerno, dd) did not seem to have a good day. Elie Gesbert has given too much too soon. In the second half of the stage, we were only two to ride, me and Antoine Duchesne. That's a lot of forces used for nothing. I will try to recover as best as possible to maybe try my luck in the last two days.."