Cycling News
Sagan wins 5th stage of Paris-Nice
AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France (AP)Peter Sagan of Slovakia won the fifth stage of the Paris-Nice race and Alberto Contador of Spain finished close behind to keep the overall lead.
Sagan, who won the third stage, forged ahead about 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) from the line and held on to beat Italian rider Mirco Lorenzetto by two seconds over the 157-kilometer (97.3-mile) ride from Pernes-les-Fontaines to Aix-en-Provence.
The 20-year-old Sagan won the stage in 3 hours, 34 minutes and 14 seconds.
The chasing group included Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde, who finished third. Contador was 10th.
Although Contador and Valverde clocked the same time, Valverde picked up a sprint bonus and fractionally trimmed Contadors overall lead to 20 seconds. Roman Kreuziger of the Czech Republic is third overall, 25 seconds behind Contador.
The stage featured four minor climbs and Contador stayed safely in the chasing pack, flanked by his Astana teammates.
Saturdays hilly sixth stage from Peynie to Tourrettes-sur-Loup should favor Contadors superior climbing ability. It features seven minor climbs and ends with a category 1 ascentlike Thursdays fourth stage which Contador easily won.
Contador won Paris-Nice in 2007, the year of his first Tour win. He won his second Tour last year while on the same team as seven-time winner Lance Armstrong, one of his main rivals at this years July 3-25 Tour.
The Paris-Nice race ends Sunday.
Source: Yahoo.com
Subject: Racing