FDJ manager Marc Madiot never wastes his time in Belgium. Yesterday he led his riders in the Nokere Koerse and while his young sprinters failed to finish in the top 10 - Lorenzo Manzin finished 18th - it is clear that their experience will be very useful.

"In Belgium, young riders can work on the physical capabilities and their positioning," he said. "It is a juggernaut of 200 kilometers. In the sprint Lorenzo and Marc Sarreau got lost but it does not matter. This is part of their training."

Before Belgian Koeckmans (Lotto-Soudal) won the sprint, a breakaway of five riders allowed David Boucher to have fun. "David will do Milan-Sanremo but he needed to have a nice little workout before. He was on the front throughout the day and the work will pay off."

Similarly Pierre-Henri Lecuisinier seems to have left his health problems behind him and he is getting better. The youngster is hoping for a good Volta a Catalunya next week.