Until the last moment, Arthur Vichot fought hard to get into the Top 10 at Paris-Nice and he just missed 32 seconds to get there, eventually keeping the 12th place he had before climbing the Col d ' Eze. The leader of the FDJ team will be able to prepare the Ardennes classics with some certainty and in particular very good physical condition. 

He was sixteenth in the time trial up the Col d'Eze, 30 seconds from a fifth place.

"I did not finish in the Top 10 but I'm happy because I come from far back," he said. "I was sick, I had to take antibiotics and I abandoned both races I did before Paris-Nice. I do not have a podium this year but I have turned a corner in my progress and I do not forget that this year's Paris-Nice did not suit me."

Reassured last Thursday by his performance on the Col de la Croix de Chaubouret where distanced by the best two kilometers from the finish, Vichot did a very good performance yesterday.

"The FDJ team has yet to win this season but there was a great atmosphere and the morale is good. Thibaut is fourth in Tirreno-Adriatico, Arnaud Démare was not far from a win. We will learn from Tony Gallopin. His performance on Saturday will inspire us."