Team Sky won Paris-Nice for the sixth time in eight years as Egan Bernal clung on to his yellow jersey in Sunday’s final stage.
The start and finish were in the city center of Nice. The stage of 110 kilometers was characterized by 6 hard climbs. The race exploded immediately after the start with many attacks.
Finally, a group of 40 riders went away with a gap of 2 minutes over the peloton with 4 Astana Pro Team riders there: Ion Izagirre, Luis Leon Sanchez, Miguel Angel Lopez, and Hugo Houle. That leading group reduced heavily on the climbs, while later Quintana, joined the leaders after his decisive move from the peloton.
Hugo Houle and Miguel Angel Lopez worked hard for Luis Leon Sanchez and Ion Izagirre, to give their teammates a chance to stay clear in the front. Ion Izagirre attacked inside the final 15 kilometers and with this solo, he took the stage 8 win. In the tough battle for the general classification, the Colombian Egan Bernal was able to protect his lead, thus winning the race.
Bernal had to stave off the challenge of compatriot and two-time Grand Tour winner Nairo Quintana, who went on the attack with 47 kilometres remaining of the 110km stage.
Quintana – 46 seconds back in the general classification standings going into the day – led by a minute at one point and also picked up three bonus seconds in an intermediate sprint, but a Sky-led chase ensured Bernal finished just four seconds behind his rival.
Movistar’s Quintana finished second in the GC standings – 39 seconds back – with Sky’s Michal Kwiatkowski third, just over a minute behind his team-mate.
“This was the classical stage of the Paris-Nice and we knew pretty well the attacks and breakaways could bring success, said stage winner Ion Izagirre. “..we had a good plan to animate the race from the start. Finally, I was able to go in the break together with my teammates, Luis Leon, Miguel Angel, and Hugo. Indeed, it was a great day for us, we wanted to improve the position of Luis Leon in the general classification but also to fight for the stage. I felt good during the whole day and in a moment when I say a possibility I attacked. I was able to get a gap and continued pushing the pedals until the finish. I am super happy with my win, I wanted to win this stage so badly! I think we did a strong race here at the Paris-Nice with the victories of Magnus Cort and mine.”
“I can’t believe that I just won Paris-Nice. It’s incredible for me. I’m really happy. I just can’t believe it yet”, said Bernal at the final. “When some GC riders started to attack, I knew I could follow them, but also I know that I have a really good, strong team, and my team can control these races.
“So it wasn’t too difficult to be calm because I really believe in my team. They did a really, really good job. We knew it was the last day so they pulled really hard.”
Bernal joins the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas as winners of the event for Team Sky, who are in their final year under their current guise.
Stage 8 Brief Results:
- Ion Izagirre (Astana Pro Team) at 2h41’10”
- Oliver Naesen (AG2R La Mondiale) at 18″
- Wilco Kelderman (Team Sunweb) s.t.
- Daniel Martinez (EF Education First) s.t.
- Felix Großschartner (Bora-Hansgrohe) s.t.
Final General Classification:
- Egan Bernal (Team Sky) 29h17’02”
- Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) at 39″
- Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) at 1’03”
- Jack Haig (Mitchelton-Scott) at 1’21”
- Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) at 1’45”
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