Kevin Reza went into the Tour du Limousin hoping to rediscover his best legs after the Tour de France. Having finished second in today's final stage, the Frenchman is now confident that he is on track for his first pro victory.

Having ridden strongly in the Tour de France, Kevin Reza hopes to take his first pro victory before the end of the season. Today he got very close when he sprinted to second in the final stage of the Tour du Limousin.

In fact, the Europcar rider thought he had taken the win and even raised his arms in celebration before it was announced that he had been narrowly beaten by Manuel Belletti. The performance crowned a great day for Europcar as Christophe Kern earned lots of recognition for a strong attack that was neutralized less than 1km from the finish.

"I'm a little disappointed," Reza said. "I really thought I had won. I have seen the photo finish and the difference is really small. This morning, we planned to go on the attack and that's what we did. We tried everything for the GC with Cyril (Gautier) and Christophe (Kern). 

"I was not very good today. The finish was not only for the sprinters, but also for the punchers. It suited me well. I didn't see when Christophe was caught. 

"I'm still looking for my first win pro. I hope it will come in the Tour Poitou-Charentes or even in Plouay.

"It was a beautiful Tour du Limousin. With the exception of Thomas Voeckler's accident, everything was positive. Most of the team were back after the. Tour de France. Personally, I was in the dark, I did not know where I was. I am reassured."
 

"We tried to take the overall win," Kern said. "Cyril (Gautier) was only 20 second behind, and I was at a minute. Perrig (Quemeneur) managed to be inthe break. Before the final circuit, I could see them. I then tried to join them, and I did it. They didn't want to work with a GC rider so I made sure most of the work. I got some assistance from José Gonçalves (La Pomme-Marseille 13). Given that I was in the best position in the standings, the others let me work.

"When we were only 30 seconds ahead, I knew was that it was impossible to go for GC. Then I attacked to try to go for the stage win. I managed to get rid of my companions. At 400 meters to go, I turned around. The peloton was just behind me. I was caught 200 metres from the line. 

"I'm still happy with my day, to be able to gain more than a minute. It's good for morale, after two years of misery! I am out of contract. I was disappointed not to go to the Vuelta. My legs are good, and the course would suit me. Especially since I had prepared myself during the month of July but I was ignored."