Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) won the morning stage in  a bunch sprint and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) rode into the lead by winning the afternoon time trial.

We have gathered a few reactions.

Victorious Nairo Quintana: I haven’t worked much on my time trialling

He pretty much looks like on the right path to fight for everything in the 2016 Tour de France. Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) surprised again today in the Route du Sud like only the chosen ones can open mouths and generate praise and amazement. Over a route, the one at Albi's ITT (13.2km), evening sector on day two, with a couple of small hills and a fast course in and around the Le Séquestre airport - probably not so suited to his abilities - the Colombian was the only one capable beating Sylvain Chavanel, the time reference for almost the entire race with his performance under 16 minutes, to crown a splendid day from the Blues, with Imanol Erviti in 3rd spot and Marc Soler in 10th, his first great result against the clock as a pro.

Nairo Quintana now dons the orange jersey as GC leader even before the mountains this weekend, with Sepúlveda (FVC) at 29" and Rossetto (COF) 36" behind as main climbers behind the Boyacá-born rider on the eve of tomorrow's Queen stage. The telephone squad's leader will be tackling three big climbs on Saturday: the Col du Tourmalet (Cat-1) from Bagnères-de-Bigorre, plus Bordères (Cat-1) and Couraduque's (Cat-1) hilltop finish for a 185km route starting at Saint-Gaudens. Another simulation before a 'Grande Boucle' which starts to look brighter and brighter, the same color of Quintana’s.

He said:

"It had been five years since I had got into a breakaway like yesterday's. It's something I don't do that often since my responsibilities force me to adopt a more defensive attitude, but I was just willing to go forward and try something different - also generate some talk about me, especially from those not hoping for such a show, and, why not, bring this to the youngsters, let them know it's worth to fight and show the team colours, whichever squad they ride for. After spending so many kilometers against the win yesterday, I was a bit nervous; I didn't know how my body would respond.

"I was a bit tired, but my legs really went well today, I was confident about my chances and it helped me really much to have this new Canyon Speedmax with me today. It works really well, it's going to be perfect for me, a huge support. I hadn't really worked that much for TTs, just what I thought I needed to reach the two time trials in the Tour de France in a good position. Let's just hope these efforts don't do bad on me before tomorrow's mountains; fortunately, we've brought an excellent squad to this race, so I hope we can keep control of the situation well and not find any problems.

"This victory is a tribute to my wife whois celebrating her birthday today. It's already the second bringing her a victory on June 17. I just want to say her I love her; she's a wounderful person, who loves and takes care of me and our daughters. A superb woman. Have a good one, Pao!"

"I did not come here to go on holiday but to prepare for the Tour, have a good race and that's what I'm doing at the moment. I prepared myself for TTs not this one specifically, but in general. This year, there are time trials during the Tour and it is very important not to lose time in this type of event. I have not worked more on it than on the rest. I feel good with this new bike that we tested. This is a very good bike and it's a plus for me.”

Bryan Coquard: I took great pleasure in seeing how the team worked for me

Bryan Coquard won the morning stage.

"The team did a great job,” he told Directvelo. “We worked with FDJ. they had Benoît Vaugrenard and we had Lilian Calmejane. Together, they worked all morning. We had looked at the final and we knew we had to be very well placed in the roundabout 4 kilometers from the finish and this is precisely where Yoann Offredo (FDJ) crashed and I almost hit him. I passed narrowly. On the final circuit, it was almost a recital of the Direct Energie train and I took great pleasure to see guys work in this way to put me in the best conditions at the time of the sprint. 

“We were never worried. We took the lead at the start of the circuit and never let it go until the end. I think the whole team had as much fun as I did and each rider brings his stone to the building.

“I think the TT of Friday afternoon is a little too long for me, even if I will do it thoroughly. These are efforts that are never unnecessary in view of the preparation for the Tour.”

Sylvain Chavanel: It’s a disappointment to be beaten by Quintana in a TT

Sylvain Chavanel was second in the time trial.

“I'm disappointed with second place because I got beaten by Nairo Quintana who is not a great TT specialist,” he told Cyclismactu. “I had to win it. Obviously, Quintana has progressed. This is a confirmation. He is already sharp for the Tour de France and that is good for him.

“This reassures me, I am no longer young but my legs still look like those of a kid. Just days before the French TT Championships in Vesoul, it's reassuring about my potential to deliver the performance in the TT and the road race for Direct Energie. I'm disappointed, yes, but I am reassured about my physical condition while the Tour, the big event for all riders, is getting closer.”

Stephane Poulhies proud to have beaten top sprinters at Route du Sud

Stephane Poulhies (Armee) was second in the morning stage.

"I'm a little disappointed to finish second because only a few meters from the line I was still first,” he told Directvelo. “But I'm still satisfied to be beaten by one of the best in the world. To be second and beat Démare, Belletti and Rojas is motivating. The team was very well placed when we got to Albi. I took the wheel of Coquard and then I anticipated the sprint, but he got back in the last meters. I will try again on Sunday. Early in the season I was a little afraid of sprinting. So instead I helped the guys in the team. But at the Route du Sud I wanted to play my card and I show that I can do that.”

Modest day for Stölting at Route du Sud

The Route du Sud (2.1) held two half-stages today, a short sprint stage in the morning and an individual time trial in the afternoon. Alexander Kamp finished 11th again on the morning stage, in the ITT Romain Lemarchand posted Team Stölting Service Group’s fastest time.

The last 3 km of the stage were raced on the Circuit d’Albi motorsports track in the outskirts of the eponymous city. Contrary to yesterday there was room enough for the sprint trains, Kamp was brought to the front by his teammates and was closer to the winner than yesterday. Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) won again, Alexander Kamp crossed the line in 11th position.

In the afternoon the race continued with a 13.4 km ITT that also started and finished on the Circuit d’Albi. Mads Pedersen was Team Stölting Service Group’s first rider on the course, stopping the clock at 16:55 minutes – the second-best time at this point in time. Romain Lemarchand improved on his time by another second and ended up as the team’s best finisher with 16:54 minutes. The last starter Alexander Kamp also did a good effort with 17:15 minutes.

Sports Director André Steensen commented: “In the morning stage we supported Alexander for the sprint again. Michael Reihs and Mads Pedersen deliver him to the front very well, and he’s in the first ten positions with 600 m to go. Unfortunately the peloton bunches together in the last turn, losing him a couple of spots, and he finishes 11th again. But Alexander gets more experience every day, as does the whole team.

”The time trial was very atypical with bad asphalt and lots of changes of pace. Our riders did what they could but weren’t able to keep up with the best.

”Tomorrow’s stage will be tough. The competition is very strong, but we hope that Christian [Mager] has a good day and will support him with the whole team.”

After the stage, Romain Lemarchand said: “I don’t like these double stages with an ITT after a morning stage, and I’m better-suited to longer time trials of 30-50 km than such a short test. I didn’t feel great during the time trial, but it was a good test ahead of the championships after a long break from racing and lots of ITT training. Tomorrow will be a very hard day, especially for the non-climbers. Everybody will want to be in the breakaway, so it will be a fast day. We will support Christian Mager for a good result.”