Greig Leach

Casper Pedersen's (Aqua Blue Sport) attack served only to split up the nine man break away. First, it left him to tired to stay with the chasers once they got back onto the Dane's wheel. And second, the chase left a few off the back to be swept up by the peloton in just a few minutes time. Those left on the front of the race included Pedersen's teammate, Mark Christian, along with Loic Vliegen (BMC), Jerome Baugnies (Wanty Groupe-Gobert), Paul Ourselin (Direct Energie) and Anthony Perez (Cofidis). Perez road in the early break on Wednesday in La Fleche Wallone, only to find himself trying again today. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.