The story of Paris-Tours for Roompot Orange Peloton was the story of one rider.Brian van Goethem was the only rider from the team of Jean-Paul van Poppel to make the split when the peloton blew to pieces right from the start in Chartres. "It was just full throttle and luckily I was able to be there," said the Ducthman about the moment when a leading group of about 30 riders was formed.

With the wind gently in the back and nearly constant speed of over 50 kilometers per hour, it was difficult for the peloton to get the connection again. "Actually, we only increased our gap," Van Goethem said. Unfortunately André Looij and Jesper Asselman were involved in crashes and had to stop the fight prematurely.

When the race exploded on the Cote de Beausoleil, Van Goethem had to let riders like the later winner Trentin, Van Avermaet, Benoot and Gallopin go. "Unfortunately, the tank was empty and I came up short. But the more often you can rider a finale, the better you become," he said. "It also shows that the hard work I did after my injury in May has produced something. The form this autumn is fine."

Eventually Van Goethem finished 22nd.

"Of course I would have loved to get a better result, but more was not possible today. Hopefully I can ride a good Sluitingsprijs on Tuesday and then I can go into the winter with a good feeling."