Geraint Thomas just missed out on the stage win at Paris-Nice as his late attack was bettered by Ilnur Zakarin. However, the strong ride puts the Team Sky rider into the overall lead with only one stage remaining.
The British rider launched in sight of the summit finish line and left Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) and Richie Porte (BMC Racing) well behind. However, the Katusha rider came round him at the last and got his arms in the air.
Second on the line and in the same time as the winner is enough to put Thomas in the yellow leader's jersey, provisionally 15 seconds ahead of Contador on GC.
It was Contador who attacked first on the climb up to La Madone d’Utelle, but with the help of Sergio Henao, Thomas was well placed to marshall the move. Porte also tried to go solo on the upper slopes but his move was shortlived.
Other GC hopefuls such as Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) were off the pace and could not stay with the front group.
At its largest, the day's original breakaway consisted of seven riders and one chaser, and they pushed their lead to a maximum of 2-25. Tsgabu Grmay (Lampre-Merida), Cyril Gautier (Direct Energie), Niki Terpstra (Etixx-Quick Step), Gregory Rast (Trek-Segafredo), Antoine Duchesne (Direct Energie), Florian Vachon (Fortuneo–Vital Concept) and Evaldas Siskevicius (Delko Marseille Provence KTM) were ahead, with Andrew Talansky (Cannondale) chasing.
Talansky later abandoned the race with a wrist injury. Duchesne faired better and was able to attack solo with 35km left to race. His former breakaway companions were swept up by the peloton, but the Canadian forged on ahead and held the main bunch at just shy of a minute.
Once the GC teams came through hopes of a solo win were dashed and the main players came to the fore to battle for stage and overall honours.
Paris-Nice stage six, Nice to Madone d’Utelle (177km)
1. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha at 4-45-11
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky, st
3. Alberto Contador (Esp) Tinkoff at 1s
4. Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing at 7s
5. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky at 10s
6. Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at 20s
7. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida at 31s
8. Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale at 31s
9. Jon Izaguirre (Esp) Movistar, st
10. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto-Soudal, st
Overall standings after stage six
1. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky at 24-10-26
2. Alberto Contador (Esp) Tinkoff at 15s
3. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha at 20s
4. Riche Porte (Aus) BMC Racing at 21s
5. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Giant-Alpecin at 32s
6. Jon Izaguirre (Esp) Movistar at 37s
7. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky, st
8. Simon Yates (GBr) Team Sky at 44s
9. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto-Soudal at 51s
10. Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale at 1-00
-
-
Specialized Jett: adjustable kids’ bike uses Retül data to fit ‘better for longer’
Extra adjustability and kid-sized components aimed at 30 months' perfect fit
By Simon Smythe •
-
'I didn’t want to explode and rode at my own pace,' says Remco Evenepoel after losing time on stage four of Giro d'Italia 2021
The young Belgian star did not follow the late attacks from some of the other race favourites
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
The Mayor of Nice doesn't want Paris-Nice to finish on seafront as planned
The local leader has concerns about the impact the race during the lockdown
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Geraint Thomas’s contract ends this year, but Ineos say they are keen to keep former Tour de France winner
The 2021 season marks a turning point in the history of Ineos Grenadiers.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Geraint Thomas dislocates shoulder after crashing on ice during training ride
The Welshman crashed on some ice while out training with team-mates
By Jonny Long •
-
Meet the 12-year-old who rode 36 hours on Zwift alongside Geraint Thomas
Three days in the saddle with a Tour de France winner? No sweat
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Geraint Thomas raises £360k for the NHS while riding 1,200km on Zwift
Geraint Thomas raised a staggering £360,000 for the NHS as he rode for 36 hours on Zwift over three days.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Geraint Thomas kicks off mammoth 12-hour Zwift rides as fundraising hits £80k
Geraint Thomas has officially kicked off his trio of 12-hour Zwift rides to raise money for the NHS.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Geraint Thomas to complete three 12-hour Zwift rides to raise money for the NHS
The Ineos rider will undertake the challenge over three consecutive days next week, mirroring NHS workers' shifts
By Jonny Long •
-
Nairo Quintana takes final stage seven as Max Schachmann hangs on for Paris-Nice overall victory
The Colombian took the summit finish victory as Schachmann survived to finish atop the GC
By Jonny Long •
