The 187 kilometer first stage of the French stage Tour du Poitou-Charentes started in Rochefort and took the peloton to Barbezieux. The fairly undulating stage was concluded in a thrilling finale where a breakaway including Cult Energy Pro Cycling’s Rasmus Quaade managed to outfox the chasing pack.

Four riders launched an early attack but as the landscape got hillier, the peloton reeled them back in. Just as everyone seemed satisfied with a bunch sprint, a group of 12 riders managed to break clear with 15 kilometers to go. Rasmus Quaade stayed in the group and managed to finish 8th.

Cult DS Luke Roberts was happy about the outcome of the stage:

“The peloton seemed to have found agreement on a bunch sprint but 12 riders wanted it differently. Rasmus was at the right place at the right time and he took part of the sneaky move to upset the sprinters. Even though they didn’t take much time, I’m happy about the commitment and enthusiasm from Rasmus at this crucial time in the finale. Tomorrow, I expect the sprinters to take revenge and we’ll support Michael Carbel for the most likely event of a sprint,” he said.

Arnaud Gerard (Bretagne) won the stage.