In the first stage of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, Kevin Reza confirmed the impression he left two weeks ago in the Tour of Catalonia with excellent physical condition and he can now reap the benefits. He took fourth in a stage that was unfortunately marred by serious injury for Pierre-Henri Lecuisinier.

This stage , offering the double ascent of the Alto de Vivero in the final, was led by the breakaway of three riders, Turgis (Cofidis), Bulgac (LottoNL Jumbo) and Fraile (Caja Rural), the latter resistant up to 17 kilometers from the finish.

"Until the last climb," says sports director Yvon Madiot, "there was no race and in the finale, they were riding very fast. It must be said that the end was far too dangerous, with a great downhill plunge into Bilbao. The riders were doing 100 km/h. I wonder whether the organizers want a rider to die before they stop it."

Fifty riders came to the finishing straight and FDJ had Thibaut Pinot, Kenny Elissonde and Kevin Reza.

"Thibaut was not on a great day," continues Madiot, "but he told me it was always like that in the first stage of the Tour of the Basque Country. Kenny works well and Kevin could have done better if he had not been hampered in the last curve. Otherwise, he think he would have finished on the podium but he would not have beaten Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge). The team worked well."

Unfortunately, the day was marked by the Pierre-Henri Lecuisinier's crash more than 60 kilometers from the finish and he was forced to retire.

"Pierre-Henri hit the deck," says Yvon Madiot, "and [sports director] Thierry Bricaud took care of him. He could not hold his handlebar and therefore he left the race. I'm afraid that is is abroken elbow. It's really bad luck because he was strong and was doing his job perfectly for Thibaut."

The concern of Yvon Madiot was confirmed as examinations revealed a fracture of the left elbow. Immediately plastered, Lecuisinier will return to France.