Eduardo Sepulveda took the world by storm in today's queen stage of the Tour Mediteraneen when he finished 2nd behind Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r) and ended 4th overall in the 5stage race. Having attacked on the lower slopes of the climb, he was only caught less than 500m from the line and his team is now looking to make him a leader in races like the Paris-Nice and the Tour de France.

Last year Eduardo Sepulveda rode his first professional season in Europe but apart from a few strong time trial results, he didn't get much attention. Hence, there were no big expectations for the Argentinean when he started his second season with the Bretagne team.

After two races, that has certainly changed. In his home race, the Tour de San Luis, Sepulveda distanced some of the best riders on the climbs and ended 6th in the high-level event. Back in Europe for his first race in cycling's heartland, he stood out in today's queen stage of the Tour Mediteraneen where he finished 2nd behind Jean-Christophe Peraud.

Having already finished 5th in the time trial, Sepulveda started the stage with the intention of going for the overall win and he launched a stinging attack four kilometres from the finish. Having been able to hold off the race favourites for most of the climb, it seemed that the young Argentinean would win one of the most prestigious early-season stages.

It wasn't to be for Sepulveda as he was caught and passed by Peraud less than 500m from the line. The Bretagne rider was devastated at the finish, speaking to reporters with tears in his eyes.

"The team has worked very hard for me throughout the day," he told Directvelo. "I tried position myself near the front of the peloton before the Mont Faron. I soon found myself with Péraud and Zoidl. We were all three in front, so I decided to attack. I quickly got fifteen seconds so I told myself that I had a chance to win. I did a big part of the climb alone but Péraud caught me in the last 500 meters. He attacked me. He was stronger than me. I am very disappointed ... I really thought I was going to win. It's disappointing.

"I attacked four kilometres from the finish," he added. "Everything was fine until Jean-Christophe Péraud got back. I could not follow him, I did not have legs. I think it was because of yesterday's time trial. That kind of effort also corresponds more to what I can really do, compared to going on the attack. What is certain is that I will still give the best of myself in the next races. And I hope that I will soon get a victory. I thank the riders and all the staff who worked for me all week "
 

While Sepulveda was naturally disappointed, Bretagne sports director was focussed on the long-term implications of today's performance. Sepulveda has now proved that he can potentially win big week-long stage races and the Bretagne director will now make him a team leader in the many big races which the French team will do.

"When you ride well and have the legs, it is always better to win," he told Directvelo. "Eduardo really rode to win. He gave it his all. He was only beaten by a super Peraud.

"Eduardo is a new rider. He only started racing two years ago. It is true that it could have been better if he had just known the climb of Faron a little more. We checked it last night at 8 o'clock after returning from the time trial as we could not do it earlier.

"After the Tour de San Luis, I thought that he could potentially win the Tour Mediteraneen and the Tour du Haut-Var, culminating with Paris-Nice. Today it is natural to be disappointed. I am disappointed too. But he is still young. He just turned 22. It's disappointing to be second on the Faron but it is also encouraging for the future.

Sepulveda's potential has been evident for Hubert right from the beginning.

"I spotted Eduardo at the World Cycling Centre," he said. "Last year he still lacked something because he was too heavy. Now he has learnt how things work and he saw that he climbs much better when he is six or seven kg lighter. He is a real hope for the future.

"Since his childhood, he has been a good time trialist. One who time trials well and if he is fit, also climbs well. I think there are many more surprises in store. He can really become our team leader in the stage races, especially in this year's Paris-Nice and Tour de France. But we won't overdo anything. We will make sure to protect him. He will have a break after the Criterium International. Then we will see what we can aim for at the Tour de France. But we are not even talking about the GC in the Tour."

Sepulveda will next do the two-day Tour du Haut-Var which starts on Saturday.