Paris - Nice 2020: Benoot solos to victory, Schachmann stays in yellow

Tiesj Benoot strikes on the penultimate climb and solos to victory in the hilly race to Apt. Max Schachmann stays in the lead of the general classification in Paris-Nice, 36 seconds ahead of Benoot. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 6th stage Paris-Nice 2020

1. Tiesj Benoot (bel)
2. Michael Matthews (aus) + 0.22
3. Sergio Higuita (col) s.t.
4. Bob Jungels (lux) s.t.
5. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) s.t.
6. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) s.t.
7. Thibaut Pinot (fra) s.t.
8. Guillaume Martin (fra) s.t.
9. Rudy Molard (fra) s.t.
10. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.

12. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) s.t.

GC after stage 6
1. Maximilian Schachmann (ger)
2. Tiesj Benoot (bel) + 0.36
3. Sergio Higuita (col) + 1.01
4. Felix Großschartner (aut) s.t.
5. Michael Matthews (aus) + 1.10
6. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 1.18
7. Rudy Molard (fra) + 1.29
8. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 1.30
9. Tanel Kangert (est) + 1.52
10. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 2.04

12. Nairo Quintana (col) + 2.38

Race report
It takes two climbs for the breakaway to take shape. Nicolas Edet, Stefan Küng, Anthony Perez, Romain Bardet, Mads Pedersen, Winner Anacona and Alexis Gougeard reach the top of the third climb, Côte de Gordes, 1.30 minutes ahead of the main group.

Bardet and Edet are the remaining attackers when Søren Kragh Andersen goes after them with 40 kilometres out. The Dane makes the catch 7 kilometres later.

Kragh Andersen heads out alone on the Côte d’Auribeau, while Vincenzo Nibali and Ties Benoot jump clear in the peloton. The Flemish rider rejoins his teammate Kragh Andersen and goes solo when the gradient evens out after the top.

Benoot crests the last hill 30 seconds ahead of the main group and takes a time bonus of 3 seconds at the top.

While leader Maximilian Schachmann misses a corner in the descent Benoot pushes on to victory. His team mate Michael Matthews wins the sprint for second place ahead of Sergio Higuita.

Schachmann crosses the line in twelfth, 40 seconds down on Benoot, but he is given the same time as the first chasers. The Sunweb rider moves up to second place and he now sits 36 seconds behind the yellow jersey.

Another interesting read: route stage 6 Paris-Nice 2020.