Before the start of Saturday's Classic Sud-Ardeche, Yvon Madiot didn't know what to do. Three of his riders, Arthur Vichot, Anthony Roux and Kenny Elissonde returned from the Ruta del Sol with injuries and were still under treatment with with antibiotics. He could only rely on Kevin Reza and Benoit Vaugrenard but the team ended up being close to the win with the former who made a strong impression in the finale.

After a very fast start and the presence of Alexandre Géniez in a first big breakaway - a good performance by the climber after he had to abandon the Ruta del Sol - a group of six riders got, Rolland (Europcar), Penven (Marseille 13), Jakin (Auber 93), Zilioli (Androni Giocattoli) Latour and Bonnafond (Ag2R-La Mondiale). Their lead reached 5'30 "but the race was decided on the final circuit with the climbs of the Rocher du Sampzon and the Cote de Vignasse.

After several attacks, a 15-rider group including Kevin Reza got clear.

"It was a shame that Benoît Vaugrenard, Laurent Pichon and Alexandre Géniez were delayed by a crash in that momentbut Kevin did a great race."

In the last lap, Julien Loubet attacked on the Rocher du Sampzon before being chased down by Sepulveda (Bretagne). The gap was 37 seconds when Reza made his effort on the Cote de Vignasse and with a solo effort, he took back 27 seconds before being caught by his chasers. Again the group slowed down and so Sepulveda and Loubet stayed away.

Reza tried again in the final kilometres with Sicard and Arroyo but he could not get clear and had to settle for fourth after having been beaten by Felline (Trek) in the sprint.

"Kevin is disappointed," Madiot said. "He waited too long and knows that he had the legs to join Sepulveda when he attacked behind Loubet. After that, he did ​​a good effort but he got nothing. I think we can say that he bounced back today."