After an anonymous start to the race, FDJ were suddenly in the spotlight in the Vuelta a Espana when Kenny Elissonde animated the finale and Kevin Reza sprinted to third on stage 8.

"Before the finale, my legs were heavy," Reza said. "I can't be disappointed by a third place in the Vuelta but it's a little frustrating because I feel I could have overtaken the guys in front but the legs were too heavy.

"It's something I've already noticed in the Giro. I always struggle in the beginning of the Grand Tour. Afterwards it's getting better and better. And Kenny also showed today how good the team spirit was."

"It was a day to try something," Elissonde said. "It might not have looked the most ideal stage for me on paper but if you wait for the course to be ideally suited, you never attack. I really believed in our chances because I was with two strong guys, especially the Katusha guy. But I will try again. That's the way I and all of the team want to perform in this Vuelta. And it was also a lot of fun."