A Japanese rider, Miyataka Shimizu (Meitan Hompo Asada) made for a surprise in the first stage of the France race Paris-Corrèze. Shimizu was the fastest in the first of the two stages from Saint-Amand Montrond to Ambazac, beating Frenchmen Brice Feillu (Agritubel) and Noan Lelarge (Bretagne Armor Lux) by a few seconds out of a breakaway.
After 80 kilometres of a total of 196, the first breakaway of the day was reeled in by the pack on the only climb of the stage, the Côte du Bois des Echelles. Immediately, eight riders countered, including Shimizu, Feillu (the brother of Romain), Lelarge and Maxime Médéral (Crédit Agricole). The latter tried a solo move with a few kilometres to go, but was caught again. The slightly uphill finishing straight then saw the 26 year-old Japanese rider take a three-second advantage over Feillu.
