TOUR DE FRANCE - STAGE 16
PIERRE-LUC PÉRICHON IN "TOP 5", GUILLAUME MARTIN CONSOLIDATES HIS POSITION IN THE GENERAL CLASSIFICATION!

In the grey of the Pyrenees, Pierre-Luc Périchon finished 4th in today's stage. His leader, Guillaume Martin, attacked in the final to consolidate his place in the "top 10" (9th). A look back at a stage where the Cofidis riders honoured the colours of their team.

And there, in the middle of the grey and rainy weather, at the finish line where spectators and supporters took shelter wherever they could, the lightning came from the concrete. Pierre-Luc Périchon, with a look of a man who has done his best, crossed the line in 4th place in Saint-Gaudens. Only a few hundred meters behind from the winner of the day,  Patrick Konrad, he had tried his luck and attacked - and offered himself a solo ride.

This was the conclusion of a stage where Pierre-Luc Périchon was able to make his way to the top. At the beginning, it was his team-mate Anthony Pérez who tried to escape (km 36). Then, with around 70 km to go, the rider from Haut-Savoie tried to break away. Present in a group of strong riders, he held on. And in the final, he was able to attack and take a good place, his best result in the last six participations in the Tour de France.

Martin strengthens his place in the 'top 10 

A little later, as Pierre-Luc was recovering from his emotions, another Cofidis rider appeared. Simon Geschke had just told Guillaume Martin that there was a possibility to attack in the peloton. The leader of the Cofidis team tried to follow a small group on the côte d'Aspret-Sarrat.

At the finish, we see the exhaustion on the faces, yet with a sense of a job well done: the smile of Pierre-Luc Périchon, the calmness of Guillaume Martin. The leader of the red and white team consolidates his position in the top 10 of the general classification and has a lead of nearly 3 minutes over the Spaniard Pello Bilbao, his closest rival in the race. Tomorrow, he will have to redouble his efforts with three giant climbs and a summit finish on the program- all the ingredients for another great performance.

THEY SAID

Pierre-Luc PÉRICHON, 4th of the stage: " I gave it my all, I did my best. I was struggling in the climbs but I managed to handle it within my means. Thierry Maréchal, my sport director, encouraged me to stay in my rhythm. In the last few kilometers, Thierry said to me: "give it your all". And I went for it, I gained some advantage. It was a long effort, like in track cycling, and I was caught ten meters from the line. But I have no regrets. In the next few days, we'll do everything we can to seize as many opportunities as possible and continue to fight for the win."

Guillaume MARTIN, 9th in the general classification: " It was a bit of a mess for everyone. Simon (Geschke) told me that there was an opportunity to attack and I tried my luck. At the moment, we are moving from heat to cold and rain. You have to be able to deal with it all the time and withstand it, as always. From now on, I will do everything I can to hold on to this 'top 10' and do the best possible job in the general classification. We have shown since the beginning of the Tour de France that we have our right to be at the top level and Pierre-Luc proved it again today. "

Thierry MARICHAL, team manager: " It was another complicated stage with difficult weather conditions. We wanted to be in the forefront and Pierre-Luc succeeded. He is a great rider and showed a great performance. Pierre-Luc hung in there and gave it his all to try and get a 2nd place. I am very happy for him because he is the first one to sacrifice himself for the team and today, he is rewarded for his efforts. He deserved to be on the podium. The rest day was good for us with the 'top 5' for Pierre-Luc and the beautiful stage for Guillaume. We can be proud of our colours!      "

STAGE 17
MURET - SAINT-LARY-SOULAN (178,4 KM)

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