The 204 kilometer first stage of Route du Sud from Lourdes to Auch was dominated by a four-rider breakaway while the French team, Europcar animated the chase in the pack. After a promising counter-attack from Karel Hnik, the stage was concluded in a bunch sprint where CULT Energy's Michael Carbel finished 3rd and teammate Linus Gerdemann was 6th.

There was never any doubt that the morning breakaway would be caught as the escapees were kept on a very short leash and almost within sight. The chasing team Europcar were eager to set things up for their sprinter Bryan Coquard while Tinkoff-Saxo seemingly wanted to keep their captain Alberto Contador out of trouble just like Movistar were visible at the front with Nairo Quintana. The CULT Energy Pro Cycling riders were protecting Michael Carbel and Mads Pedersen throughout the day to prepare for the finale.

With 24 kilometers to go, Daniel Martinez (Colombia) flew up the road and instantly distanced his previous breakaway companions to take the mountain points on the final climb. Behind him, several attacks were launched from the field and CULT Energy’s Karel Hnik was in the new breakaway group passing Martinez.

Five different teams were represented in the new breakaway quintet including Tinkoff-Saxo, AG2R, Cofidis, Colombia and CULT Energy leaving Europcar on the chase behind. Entering the final kilometer, the break was within a reasonable distance and CULT Energy’s Linus Gerdemann went to the front to lead out Michael Carbel in the technical finish. In the slightly uphill finish, Carbel sprinted across the line in third position while lead out man Gerdemann finished 6th. 

DS Luke Roberts states:

"We knew it was going to be a difficult finish so we waited for the obvious moment to go and I guess Karel chose the right moment to create a new breakaway. Unfortunately, Europcar eventually organized a new solid chase and because of the slightly uphill finish, we had to make sure that Michael Carbel was kept to the front. Therefore we took the front entering the final kilometer with Michael Reihs, Linus and Carbel and I think they did a super job. Carbel excellently managed to keep up the pace but just needed that little bit of extra pace in the final 100 meters. Tomorrow, there's another chance and we'll do what we can to put Carbel up there again," says Luke Roberts.