There was frustration in the FDJ camp after the first stage of the Four Days of Dunkirk that was won by Bryan Coquard (Europcar). They missed the breakaway of seven riders who reached the finish with a 26-second advantage but Laurent Pichon was riding stronly in an event he loves.

Showers and strong winds significantly impacted the race and with 7 paves inside the final 60km, it helped split the peloton to pieces.

Everything was decided on the second pave after an unsuccessful attack from Olivier Le Gac. The great Belgian hope Edward Theuns (Topsport Vlaanderen), Damien Gaudin (AG2R-La Mondiale) and Ignatas Konovalovas (Marseille 13-KTM) got clear and were later joined by four riders, including Bryan Coquard. The FDJ team missed the boat.

"It was nervous," explains Laurent Pichon. "I hesitated but I had to go at that point. When you  make ​​a mistake, you pay. Immediately William Bonnet and Olivier Le Gac chased really strongly and told me to save energy. They kept the gap at 30 seconds. Finally, I go attacked, but I was caught by a small group. In the last cobbled section, I attacked again but I missed a corner and I had to stop. I end I finished with a small group at 26 seconds. It is not the end of the world but it's frustrating. I still find it hard to understand the tactics of the two French teams which had to ride with us but did not. It's cycling..."

The week is long and Laurent Pichon who was second in 2011, hasn't given up yet.  "Coquard who is in the leader's jersey, is climbing well coasts and will be difficult to beat. I ended up with Fedrigo who may be an ally. I'm really happy to do this race that I like and I want to finish on a good note before I take a break."