TOUR DE FRANCE - STAGE 1
SOLID NERVES IN THE FACE OF CHAOS

In a particularly nervous stage, the race was marked by several crashes. The Cofidis team was not spared from bad luck and several riders were involved. Ruben Fernandez, Guillaume Martin, Jesus Herrada and Pierre-Luc Périchon were successively on the ground with medical conditions still to be confirmed.

It was supposed to be a celebration, a lot of excitement and joy on the roadsides. And it was, but not only that: the pace of the stage has changed at 152 km, with the first of the many crashes that took place until the finish line. Judging by the tired faces, marked by the effort, this stage had a big impact on the physical condition and the morale of the riders.  

Nevertheless, the race started in high spirits in Brest and, as so often this season, Cofidis was part of it. Pierre-Luc Périchon and Anthony Perez made several attacks to get into the breakaway and the rider from Toulouse succeeded. The breakaway had a lead of up to 3 min 45 seconds. What happened next? Chaos, "a slaughter" according to Anthony Perez. Several spectacular crashes took place and the Cofidis riders tried to resist.

At the finish, the bodies were bruised. The two riders most affected, Jesús Herrada and Pierre-Luc Périchon, suffered from hip and right calf injuries respectively. They went with the team doctor to the emergency room in Landerneau for further tests.  Despite these complications, they all hope to be back on the bike tomorrow.  Every day in the Tour de France tells a different story and Cofidis team will never give up on taking part in it.

THE COFIDIS STAGE IN BRIEF

Anthony Pérez and Pierre-Luc Périchon, placed at the front of the peloton, attack several times.

Anthony Perez, with four and then five riders, joins the day's breakaway.

The gap reaches 3m45, the largest of the day.

Anthony takes the lead at the top of the Locronan climb.

As the pace of the peloton increases, most of the breakaway riders, including Anthony Perez, are caught by the peloton.

An impressive group crash occurs. Several Cofidis riders are caught up, including Ruben Fernandez and Christophe Laporte, although they all manage to get away safely.

With 8km to go, another massive crash. Pierre-Luc Périchon and Jesús Herrada are among the riders affected. They managed to make it to the finish.

THEY SAID

Guillaume MARTIN: "I was caught in a crash about 50km to go. I’ve hurt my head and my hip was also a bit sore. But it's ok, it could have been worse. Obviously, it's not a good day for us, the crashes were quite bad. But we know that there will be better days. It's difficult to know exactly how I feel, I have the impression that I feel fine and I want to have a good day tomorrow. We know that there is a lot at stake, that there is pressure and that everyone wants to go to the front when there is not enough room for everyone. It was dangerous and I'm happy to have arrived safely. "  

Anthony PEREZ: "At the beginning of the stage, there were some serious competitors at the front, including Ide Schelling who rode very well. Well done to him! Afterwards, I didn't want to give too much of myself to keep my strength up and support our leaders, especially as the Tour has still a long way to go. With the crashes, it was a slaughter, we had a lot of crashes and I am obviously very disappointed for Pierre-Luc, Jesús and Guillaume who were touched by them.”

Bingen FERNANDEZ, sport director: "It was very nervous, especially at the end of the stage. In the beginning, there was a nice fight for the breakaway and Anthony Perez took part in it. After that, the rhythm was rather calm before an impressive crash. Of course, there was a lot of stress to get back into the race. And then there was the crash before the finish, at high speed, which caused a lot of stress. Of course, we don't like to see this kind of show. We will have to recover well tonight and be positive before tackling tomorrow's stage where we will do everything to perform well. "

STAGE 2 
PERROS-GUIREC - MÛR DE BRETAGNE (183,5 KM)

COFIDIS, BEHIND THE SCENES
Par Mathilde L'Azou / Team Cofidis