Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Michal Kwiatkowski saw an opportunity to animate the race on the final steep climb — Cote de Ty Marrec — on the last lap of a 27km circuit at GP Ouest France Plouay on Sunday.
The move brought reactions from all the top riders in the peloton. While the attack of Kwiatkowski was brought back, it was a good attempt at attacking after OPQS had worked hard to dictate the race earlier. Dries Devenyns attacked earlier in the stage with one other rider, but that move was also brought back. An original breakaway with more than a 10 minute advantage was brought back well before the final thanks to tireless efforts of all of the OPQS riders.
Filippo Pozzato (Lampre-Merida) won the bunch sprint finish, with Giacomo Nizzolo (Radioshack-Leopard) 2nd and Samuel Dumoulin (AG2R - La Mondiale) 3rd. Kwiatkowski finished 20th.
"I am happy about my performance today," Kwiatkowski said. "It is my 2nd race after Hamburg, and the team supported me really well today. We chased the breakaway at the beginning and then worked in the final to try to do something good on the last climb. Michal Golas helped me a lot. On the last steep climb I went full gas. When we arrived on the top and turned to the right on the big road, I did my effort and selected a small group, but no one wanted to work together. So, unfortunately, we didn't go until the end. I am happy, because my feeling is better and I am looking forward to the next races in Canada to try and get a good result and prepare for the world championship."