Greig Leach

If it is racing, it is an early break away. Today it was a group that swelled to nine riders that build up an eight and a half minute lead on the rather relaxed peloton. That would all change as soon as the first of the 29 sections of pave were reached in Troisvilles just another nine kilometers up the road. A couple of those at the back of the group included the Swiss National Champion, Silvan Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale), Marc Soler (Movistar), Jay Thomson (Dimension Data) and Ludovic Robeet along with his teammate JImmy Duquenny (WB Aqua Protect). With a single day race, the rules of thumb go out the window when it comes to a break's success or eventual failure.