Colombian Fernando Gaviria of Etixx Quick Step has won the Paris-Tours race.
This was a 252.5km race from Dreux to Tours and saw Mark Cavendish amongst a strong field.
The first break saw Gerts, Lang, Warren Barguil, Van Goethem, Lebreton, Martin Wynants and Gerard taking a lead of 2.20 after 37kms which went out to 3.20 after 115kms of racing.
Going into the final fifty kilometres and the gap was down to two minutes with a minute being wiped off that lead ten kilometres later.
The peloton split and a group which included the likes of Greg Van Avermaet went after the six minus Lebreton up the road.on a day where the average speed was around 46kmh.
With twenty kilometres left, the gap was at fifteen seconds to the now five up front after Warren Barguil dropped back.
The peloton caught them with 14.5kms left and a race which is essientially one for the sprinters.
Lagutin and De Backer put in an attack and got fifteen seconds clear as they made their way into Tours.
They were caught and Britain's Owain Douell was one of the riders who was handily placed before Fernando Gaviria of Etixx Quick Step managed to get away and take the win in 5.22.03, followed by Arnaud Demare, Jonas Van Genechten, Matteo Trentin, Bryan Coquard and Mark Cavendish who will now join the rest of the British team at the World Championships in Doha.