France's Thomas Voeckler surged three kilometres from the finish to win the UCI-ProTour Grand Prix de Plouay race.

The former French champion, winner of the Tour du Poitou last week, outwitted the favourites in the finale, attacking at the right moment to keep the main field at bay.

Norway's sprint ace Thor Hushovd had to be content with second place ahead of ProTour leader Danilo Di Luca of Italy.

The Giro d'Italia champion strengthened his lead in the ProTour standings and is now on 213 points, ahead of Spaniards Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde.

Valverde was allowed to take part in the 210km Grand Prix in the Brittany town despite being banned from starting the world championships by the UCI for his possible implication in a doping investigation.

Valverde's suspension for a suspected implication in the Operation Puerto doping scandal will only take effect when the Spanish federation starts its disciplinary investigation some time next week.

The Spaniard was not in contention for victory and finished among the peloton.

The Grand Prix de Plouay also marked the return of team Astana after a month off following the suspensions for doping of their leading Kazakh riders Alexander Vinokourov and Andrey Kashechkin.

In the absence of Astana's other leader, Germany's Andreas Kloeden, involved in a car crash last week, the Swiss team's comeback was a quiet one.

A long breakaway animated the beginning of the race, but the last three escapees, Tour of Germany winner Jens Voigt, Spain's Pablo Lastras and France's Pierrik Fedrigo were caught ten kilometres from the finish line.

Reuters