In France it was the day of the GP Plouay, which was held over 229.1km.

A long breakaway of five riders led the stage since the early kilometers in the stage, having a maximum advantage of 11 minutes. The bunch controlled the breakaway and reacted in time to neutralize this action with 44 km to go, just before another seven riders counter-attacked.

The new leading group with Matteo Bono could not obtain more than 1 minute of advantage over the chasing peloton, which was reduced to 50 riders. Bono and another four riders were dropped from the breakaway while Lutsenko and Dillier led the race until 3 km to go, when they were joined by other riders who had attacked from the bunch.

Despite these efforts, it was not possible to avoid the sprint where Kristoff took the win

For Lampre-Merida, Rui Costa demonstrated his improving condition by reaching the finish in the front group in 26th.

"The best feedbacks are the ones that came from Rui Costa, who showed a quite good form which is going to be improved soon,” sports director Philippe Mauduit explained. “Rui reached the summit of the last climb together with Ulissi in the front of the bunch, but there was no opportunity to reduced the group.

“Previously, Bono had been great in joining an interesting attack, which could not stay away. For the sprint solution, our captain was Cimolai, but he did not have a very good day: he tried hard to be in the front group, but the very high pace was not suitable for him."