The FDJ team had a very good start to Tirreno-Adriatico. The first stage was set to be a 22km team time trial but it was eventually replaced at the last moment by a prologue. The French did delivered a very promising overall performance. Thibaut Pinot was one of the best climbers and Johan Le Bon has finished in the top 10 8 seconds behind the winner, Italy's Malori (Movistar).

"The course was along the sea on a completely flat road," explains sports director Martial Gayant. "Thibaut was one of the first to start and did a​​beautiful TT. He beat some of his main rivals. Contador who is a specialist, is six seconds behind him, Quintana (Movistar) is 8 seconds behind. Nibali was only a little better since he rode two seconds faster than Thibaut.

"Johan Le Bon wwas among the last, and he really did ​​a very good time trial. Tenth here is a very good result but I see his teammates, including Steve Morabito and Mathieu Ladagnous, are not far away. After a good start, I thought Jérémy Roy would do a fantastic time but eventually lost seven seconds in the last two kilometers. When he was riding at 53 km/h, he could not accelerate but it does not matter. Finally, even if I am satisfied, I regret a little that the team time trial did not take place because I think we would have been very good."

On Thursday the first stage from Camaiore to Cascina (151 km) should be for the sprinters.