Europcar's Bryan Coquard won the opening stage of the Tour of Picardie.
This 2.1 race which started with a 191km stage from Fort-Mahon-Plage to- Estrées-Saint-Denis had former World Champion Philippe Gilbert in the early break along with Maes, Declercq and Laporte.
Gilbert took the first climb on the Cote de Conde-Foliee as the quartet led with a lead of 2.50 going into the final seventy kilometres.
They were eventually brought back by the peloton and a sprint ensured with Bryan Coquard winning in 4.17.27 ahead of Arnaud Demare, Ramon Sinkeldam, Gianni Meersman and Kenneth Van Bilsen.
British rider Steve Cummings finished in 60th place with Andrew Fenn 74th.