At the Route du Sud, Nairo Quintana, protected excellently by all his team-mates, covered flawlessly the final 166km route from Revel to Gaillac to confirm his second place in the final overall classification of the Pyrenean race, behind Alberto Contador (TCS). Enrique Sanz, well-placed leading up to the sprint, had to eventually stay content with 6th place - behind winner Bryan Coquard (EUC) - after having to fight against a final kilometer full of turns, roundabouts and slightly uphill.

"I am very content after this race," Quintana told Tuttobiciweb. "We have seen that one of the greatest rivals for the Tour is riding strongly but not at a level higher than me. This gives me great peace of mind because I'm finding the race rhythm. La Route du Sud was the perfect race to understand my state of form and the answers I had were very reassuring. I'm really very good."