Paris-Nice 2012 stage six photo gallery by Graham Watson>>
Rabobank rider Luis Leon Sanchez pipped Jens Voigt for victory in the sixth stage of Paris-Nice on Friday afternoon.
Originally part of the day's six-man breakaway, Sanchez split the group over the day's final climb, a dozen kilometres out. Popular veteran Voigt was the only man who could keep up to fight it out in the streets of Sisteron.
After a cat-and-mouse stand off in the final kilometre, Voigt led the sprint out powerfully,
but canny Sanchez timed his effort right to take his fourth Paris-Nice stage win by half a wheel.
Bradley Wiggins finished in the main bunch, fourteen seconds behind, to preserve his lead.
However, Team Sky were made to work hard throughout the hilly stage to negate the danger of 2009 winner Sanchez (Rabobank), who sat 3-51 behind the Briton in the morning.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Racing in the foothills around majestic Mont Ventoux, a rapid early pace briefly split the bunch during the first hour of racing. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) found himself left behind, before a regrouping.
Tomorrow's penultimate seventh stage covers 219.5 kilometres from Sisteron to Nice. The last climb, the first-category Col de Vence, is topped 55 kilometres out before a long downhill sweep onto the finish on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.
If that goes to plan, all that stands between Bradley Wiggins and Paris-Nice victory is Sunday's time-trial up the Col d'Eze.
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
‘There's no point to race for 50th place’: Peter Sagan explains why he’s a cycling esports ambassador but won’t compete
Rapha's loss, your gain: prices slashed sitewide amid profitability concerns
