The first stage of the Etoile de Besseges, in the Gard, smiles on the Dane Mats Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo). He wins after 160 km of racing around Bellegarde. The former world champion took advantage of a breakaway of forty riders, forty kilometers from the finish line.
Frenchman Thibaut Pinot is 44 seconds behind after this first stage.
This Thursday, the second stage, over 156 km, takes the riders from Saint-Christol-lèz-Alès to Rousson.