Paris-Nice 2018 Stage 5: Cousin bests Politt in two-up sprint, LL Sánchez retains lead
Paris-Nice's 5th stage takes in a tough intermediate climb halfway, yet the last 60 kilometres are predominantly flat. Cousin and Politt are the strongest riders in the break and the Frenchman wins the sprint. LL Sánchez finishes safely in the bunch to retain in yellow. (Slideshow route/profile)
Results 5th stage 2018 Paris-Nice
1. Jérôme Cousin (fra)
2. Nils Politt (ger) + 0.02
3. André Greipel (ger) + 0.04
4. Magnus Cort (den) s.t.
5. Alexander Kristoff (nor) s.t.
6. Christophe Laporte (fra) s.t.
7. Matteo Trentin (ita) s.t.
8. Mike Teunissen (nld) s.t.
9. Matti Breschel (den) s.t.
10. Koen de Kort (nld) s.t.
GC after the 5th stage
1. Luis León Sánchez (spa)
2. Wout Poels (nld) + 0.15
3. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 0.26
4. Marc Soler (spa) s.t.
5. Gorka Izagirre (spa) s.t.
6. Felix Grosschartner (aut) + 0.35
7. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 0.42
8. Tim Wellens (bel) s.t.
9. Sergio Henao (col) + 0.48
10. Esteban Chaves (col) s.t.
11. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
15. David de la Cruz (spa) + 1.15
16. Tony Gallopin (fra) + 1.19
19. Roman Kreuziger (cze) + 1.29
21. Sam Oomen (nld) + 1.33
22. Daniel Martin (irl) + 1.36
23. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 1.50
31. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 2.41
33. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 2.44
Race report
Shortly after the start Nicolas Edet, Jerome Cousin and Julien El Fares open up a gap. Nils Politt chases them down before the four widen the gap to almost 6 minutes at the top of the Col du Lagarde d’Apt. Cousin takes most KOM points, as he does on the Col du Pointu and Col du Négron.
Politt attacks when the gap has fallen to 2 minutes with 16 kms to go, but Cousin tracks him down before the top of the Côte de la Marquise to snatch the KOM points.
The two enjoy a 1 minute lead with 10 kms to go. Politt is stronger and powers on with Cousin patiently and stoically on his wheel. On the last straight the Frenchman makes his move to leave the young German behind.
The bunch with leader LL Sánchez finishes just 4 seconds later.
Read also: route 5th stage 2018 Paris-Nice.
Paris-Nice 2018 stage 5: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Favourites - Paris-Nice 20 Overview - Paris-Nice 20 Stage 8: De la Cruz wins thriller-race, Soler takes GC - Paris-Nice 20 Stage 7: Simon Yates solos to victory and overall lead - Paris-Nice 20 Stage 6: Solo victory Molard, LL Sánchez still in lead - Paris-Nice 20 Stage 4: Wout Poels takes ITT, LL Sánchez holds on to yellow jersey - Paris-Nice 20 Stage 3: Jonathan Hivert wins and LL Sánchez takes yellow - Paris-Nice 20 Stage 2: Groenewegen sprints to victory, Démare retains yellow - Paris-Nice 20 Stage 1: Démare wins cobbled uphill sprint to take overall lead - Paris-Nice 20 Route stage 1: Chatou – Meudon - Paris-Nice 20 Route stage 2: Orsonville - Vierzon - Paris-Nice 20 Route stage 3: Bourges - Châtel-Guyon - Paris-Nice 20 Route stage 4: La Fouillouse - Saint-Étienne - Paris-Nice 20 Route stage 6: Sisteron - Vence - Paris-Nice 20 Route Stage 7: Nice - Valdeblore La Colmiane - Paris-Nice 20 Route stage 8: Nice – Nice - Paris-Nice 20 More articles Giro 2025: Late attack nets Carapaz the win, Del Toro stays in pink
Giro 2025 Route stage 11: Viareggio – Castelnovo ne’ Mont
Giro 2025 Route stage 12: Modena – Viadana
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 12: For fast men #3
Giro 2025: Withdrawals
Giro 2025: The Route
Giro 2025: Riders
Giro 2025 Route stage 13: Rovigo - Monte Berico
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 13: Puncheurs at Monte Berico
Giro 2025 Route stage 14: Treviso – Nova Gorica
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 14: For fast men #4
Giro 2025 Route stage 15: Fiume Veneto – Asiago
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 15: Attackers in the high mountains
Giro 2025 Route stage 16: Piazzola sul Brenta – San Valentino
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 16: GC showdown at high altitudes
Giro 2025 Route stage 17: San Michele all’Adige - Bormio
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 17: Breakaways over the Mortirolo
Giro 2025 Route stage 18: Morbegno - Cesano Maderno
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 18: For fast men #5
Giro 2025 Route stage 19: Biella – Champoluc
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 19: King Climbers in Queen Stage
Giro 2025 Route stage 20: Verrès – Sestrière
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 20: GC Battle on the Finestre
Cycling Calendar 2025
Tour de France 2025: The Route
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 1: Lille - Lille
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 2: Lauwin-Planque - Boulogne-sur-Mer
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 3: Valenciennes - Dunkirk
Vuelta Femenina 2025 Route stage 6: Becerril de Campos - Baltanás
Salon-de-Provence and Sisteron at Google Maps
Instagram @parisnicecourse
Paris-Nice Tweets