Sebastien Delfosse continued his strong showing as team leader for the small Wallonie-Bruxelles team when he took his second runner-up spot in a major French one-day race at yesterday's Cholet Pays De Loire. Even though he regrets being so close to that elusive win, he is pleased with his best ever start to a new season.

Things have changed for Sebastien Delfosse for he 2014 season. When his Crelan-Euphony team folded, the strong Belgian was forced to search for a new home if he wanted to continue his career.

He found that home at the continental Wallonie-Bruxelles team where the 31-year-old both works as a mentor for the many young riders on the team and has the leadership role in most of the races. He proved that he is able to handle that extra responsibility when he finished 2nd in La Drome Classic earlier this month and yesterday he was again up there when he took 2nd in the Cholet Pays de Loire.

Delfosse made it into the big 22-rider group that escaped from the very beginning and survived the gradual selection until only 9 riders remained for a sprint finish. He was beaten by a well-known fast finisher Tom Van Asbroeck and so remained satisfied with the result.

"We came out pretty quickly from the bunch with a group of riders and the gapover the peloton widened rapidly," he said. "Later we attacked again. A dozen riders remained, and the gap to the chasers was big enough.

"The sprint was launched by Turgot but it was a bit too early. I took his wheel but he died. Van Asbroeck is faster than me but I went for the victory. I think I can be satisfied with my French weekend. I was aiming at the Classic Loire Atlantique [on Saurday] where Tom Dernies and Laurent Evrard were in the lead group.  We took UCI points with Tom who finished 10th.

"I got my personal chance on Sunday in Cholet with my 2nd place. I had already finished 2nd in the Drôme Classic in February. Arguably the beginning of our campaign is successful. We have created a very good group and Wallonie-Bruxelles have gained confidence with very good results. We can continue with ambition. 

"We now have ten days without racing. I think the team needs a break mentally to prepare for the next races. I am happy with my start to the season which is always a favorite time for me. I have no wins, of course, but I've never raced so much. And I have a superb level. With the team staff, I will discuss my next goals. Our coach Alexandre Abel has prepared a specific training plan for the coming days. I am very comfortable and ready to work well."

"The instruction was to be present in the breakaways," he added to Directvelo. "I was one of the last to make the junction with the leading group. In the end, we accelerated to get rid of riders who started to save their energy. I knew we were going to play the game on the final circuit. 

"There were several teams with two riders. That's why I attacked several times. Sébastien Turgot launched the sprint from the distance. Once the sprint started, I felt that I was going to finish second. To finish up there is still a good result. 

"In early March I had already finished 2nd in the Drome Classic. In the Coupe de France, I finished 3rd in the Classic Loire-Atlantique in 2012 and last year in the Polynormande. I miss a victory in the Coupe de France. I hope it comes soon. My next race will be the Route Adélie Vitre. "