"It's encouraging, the legs are coming back well" - Arnaud Demare 4th at the BEMER Cyclassics

Although it's still taking some getting used to, Team Arkea-Samsic's Arnaud Demare, no longer in the colours of Groupama - FDJ, sprinted to fourth at the BEMER Cyclassics in a dramatic finale.

"We had a great team race today, well represented, well placed. The final was a bit disjointed between the trio which had been the breakaway and the peloton which was coming back, we got a little mixed up and I'm going to get this 4th place," said Demare post-race, referencing the chaotic finish that saw a leading trio caught within touching distance of the finish by a Mads Pedersen led chase.

"It's a first good result that I can bring to the team even if there was a way to do better," the Frenchman evaluates. "For a recovery, it's encouraging, the legs are coming back well and collectively it was going well It's positive for the races to come!"

Sports director Yvon Caër was full of praise for his new sprinter. "Arnaud showed that he was in good physical condition today. He was able to keep up with the best in the climb. Regarding his sprint, he may be starting a little too late because we notice that he finishes with a lot of speed. Nevertheless, this result is very encouraging for the future: we have a concerned team around him who knew how to adapt to do the job in the final."