The time trial between Nice and the Col d’Éze (9.6 km) has delivered its verdict. Richie Porte, wearing the Yellow Jersey, did not falter. The Australian from Sky wins the time trial and the 71st Paris-Nice.
Paris-Nice concluded on Sunday late afternoon after Richie Porte crossed the finish line at Col d’Éze. The Australian from Sky, a time trial specialist, did not falter and left no chance for his direct competitors. He leads Andrew Talansky by 23 seconds and Nairo Alexander Quintana by 27 seconds. The first Frenchman, Jean-Christophe Péraud, just missed the podium (32 seconds).
Richie Porte thus managed to gain a few more seconds in the General Classification. This is the first victory by an Australian in the Paris-Nice, reminiscent of Cadel Evans during the 2011 Tour de France. Talansky and Péraud complete the final podium. This 71st edition has taken a toll on the competitors. The rain and wind led many to abandon, particularly during Saturday’s stage between Manosque and Nice. Nacer Bouhanni’s crash during the 3rd stage is also a perfect example.
The French shone in this Paris-Nice with three stage victories: Damien Gaudin in the Prologue, Nacer Bouhanni, and Sylvain Chavanel in the 1st and 6th stages. The winner of the sprint on the Promenade des Anglais proudly wears the Green Jersey of best sprinter on the final podium. A rather positive outcome before the Belgian, Italian, and French Classics (1) as well as the Tour of Italy (Giro) from May 4 to 26. The Paris-Nice is also a magnificent rehearsal for the Tour de France. Richie Porte follows in the footsteps of Bradley Wiggins, his teammate in Team Sky.
The Brit had not started in order to better focus on the upcoming Tour de France. His teammates took the lead well. Sky has once again shown all its qualities during this week of competition and is likely to make its mark on the Tour de France with Christopher Froome, Bradley Wiggins, Richie Porte; the Anglo-Saxon team is sure to be the team to beat.
