Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) continued his dominance of the Tour de Picardie by making it two in a row on the second stage of the race. After a splendid lead-out from his team, he beat Daniel McLay (Fortuneo-Vital Concept) and Andrea Guardini (Astana) to both take the stage win and solidify his overall lead on the eve of the final stage.

We have gathered a few reactions.

Nacer Bouhanni focused on the GC, not a hat-trick in Picardie

"It was a difficult finish, it was uphill in the final kilometer and there was headwind,” Nacer Bouhanni told Directvelo. “I stayed on the wheel of Christophe Laporte. Andrea Guardini surprised me when he started, but I moved onto his wheel. I made ​​the effort in the last 150 meters and I could pass him.

“I followed the wheel of Christophe Laporte who led me out ideally 200 meters from the finish. Then Andrea Guardini attacked ... Yes, it surprised me. He passed me, I took his wheel and at 150 meters, with a little headwind, I could come around.

“I spent the day on the wheel of my teammates. Some teams tried to make echelons but we were aalways present. The whole team was very strong.

”My teammates were solid. It was not easy when the teams created echelons, but they were always there. Hofstetter and Cousin rode a lot on the front. Then Lemoine then and my little brother Rayane took over on the final circuit. 

”The grand slam? I will focus on the GC. This is the first objective. I am getting stronger, it bodes well for the future. There are beautiful champions here so to win is significant. I have done two beautiful sprints, I hope that tomorrow will be a third one. I am confident because I getting stronger.

“It is a very beautiful podium. I do not have a habit of underestimating my opponents.”

Daniel McLay frustrated by mistake after second place in Picardie

"The guys did a great job,” Daniel McLay told Directvelo. “I was very well positioned before the last kilometer. I made ​​a small mistake at 500 meters to go, otherwise I could have been even closer to Bouhanni. I thought I could get him back but I missed a few meters. The legs are good and I will try my luck again tomorrow.

"The team protected me throughout the day and especially in the final. Benoit [Jarrier], Julien [Loubet], Huta [Yauheni Hutaroivhc], Jean-Marc [Bideau], all the guys did a great job. I made two small mistakes during the sprint which maybe cost me the victory.

Sports director Denis Leproux added:

"All riders have done a great job. They stayed around Dan and rode together at the front of the pack all day. Dan feels strong. He was second but do not forget that there is a good sprint field at this race. " 

Andrea Guardini regrets early sprint after third place in Picardie

“Too much will to win has led me to commit a small error of judgment,” said Andrea Guardini.

“I was behind Napolitano who was behind the leader and yesterday’s winner, Bouhanni so I was just one position too far from the best one. For this reason and also because of the fact that I felt a very good condition, I anticipated the sprint and I launched it at 200 meters to the finish line: unfortunately, a bit of headwind and the road which was slightly uphill, facilitated the sprint of Bouhanni who came back from behind…”

“At least I think positively because my condition is good and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s last stag. I would also like to thank all my team mates who did an extraordinary work and who rode me to the final sprint in the best position,” concluded Guardini.