Geraint Thomas leads Paris-Nice after stage four
Paris-Nice stage four victory goes to Tom Jelte Slagter (Garmin-Sharp) as Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) takes over race lead in the 'Race to the Sun'
Geraint Thomas (Sky) has moved into the overall lead at Paris-Nice after finishing second on the fourth stage to Dutchman Tom Jelte Slagter (Garmin-Sharp).
The Welshman countered a move from Slagter on the short but steep final climb of the Cote du Mont Brouilly with 13km to race, and the pair held off the fast finishing remnants of the peloton by five seconds on the line in Belleville.
Slagter pipped Thomas to the line, but it is the Sky rider who now leads the classification by three seconds from previous yellow jersey holder John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano).
Thomas took over last minute leadership duties at Paris-Nice after defending champion Richie Porte swapped to race Tirreno-Adriatico following the late withdrawal of Chris Froome.
Thomas now has four more tough climbing stages to negotiate before the eight day race concludes this Sunday in Nice.
Results
Paris-Nice 2014, stage four: Nevers to Belleville, 200km
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
1. Tom Jelte Slagter (Ned) Garmin-Sharp in 5-00-09
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky at s.t.
3. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin at 5 secs
4. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
5. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
6. Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ.fr
7. Peter Velits (Svk) BMC Racing
8. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar
9. Cyril Gautier (Fra) Europcar
10. Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale all at s.t.
Overall classfication after stage four
1. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky in 18-14-25
2. John Degenkolb (Ger) Giant-Shimano at 3 secs
3. Tom Jelte Slagter (Ned) Garmin-Sharp at 4 secs
4. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar at 8 secs
5. Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale at 12 secs
6. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin at 15 secs
7. Carlos Betancur (Col) Ag2r-La Mondiale at 17 secs
8. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-Quickstep at 19 secs
9. Cyril Gautier (Fra) Europcar
10. Arnold Jeannesson (Fra) FDJ.fr all at s.t.
Related links
John Degenkolb wins Paris-Nice stage three
How to win Paris-Nice: first, don't lose it
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Richard Abraham is an award-winning writer, based in New Zealand. He has reported from major sporting events including the Tour de France and Olympic Games, and is also a part-time travel guide who has delivered luxury cycle tours and events across Europe. In 2019 he was awarded Writer of the Year at the PPA Awards.
-
‘There's no point to race for 50th place’: Peter Sagan explains why he’s a cycling esports ambassador but won’t compete
As a MyWhoosh ambassador, Sagan admires the sport’s evolution, but does he have the watts to compete with today’s virtual cycling stars?
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
Rapha's loss, your gain: prices slashed sitewide amid profitability concerns
The British clothing brand unveils an almost unheard-of 25% discount across its entire product range
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers hire new head of engineering as reshuffle continues
Former British Cycling lead, Dr Billy Fitton, is the latest of a handful of new appointments within the British squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Grandpa Geraint Thomas, a fox at the Giro d'Italia, and the greatest camera shot ever
As the dust settles on the Giro d'Italia, it's the Tour of Norway that grabs our attention
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Patrick Lefevere hands out the bidons, pink sunglasses, and the kids are alright
All the action from cycling social media in the last 7 days
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Another year, another annoying choice between Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico
The two premier stage races clashing is a continued bane for all fans of cycling, and points to a bloated sport
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘I feel lucky to be alive’: Magnus Sheffield speaks for the first time about Gino Mäder’s fatal crash
The American describes what he saw at the Tour de Suisse, eight months after the tragedy
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Geraint Thomas is still the king of dad jokes
Get your fix of the week's best cycling posts from social media
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published