Rudy Molard emerges victorious from aggressive stage six finale at Paris-Nice
Groupama-FDJ rider times his attack to perfection in exciting end to stage - Luis Leon Sanchez maintains overall lead
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Rudy Molard (Groupama-FDJ) was the slightly unexpected victor at the end of an aggressive final hour of racing on stage six of Paris-Nice.
The 28-year-old Frenchman took just the second victory of his professional career as he bided his time before launching two attacks in the final two kilometres, the second of which with 1,300m to go getting him enough of a gap to be able to sit up and straighten his jersey as he crossed the line.
Earlier, a first-category climb with 10km remaining decimated the peloton, with race leader Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) briefly being in difficulty before regaining contact, and Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) attacking over the top.
The fast descent that followed brought disaster for Wout Poels (Team Sky) who crashed into a roadside barrier and was forced to abandon the race, while Yates was eventually caught with four kilometres remaining.
From there a few more attacks flew off the front, before Molard launched his decisive move shortly before the flamme rouge.
The yellow jersey of Sanchez finished in a group just two seconds later, meaning the Spaniard will hold on to the race lead going into Saturday's potentially decisive summit finish at Valdeblore La Colmiane.
>>> Paris-Nice 2018 live TV guide
How it happened
Stage six of Paris-Nice saw the peloton tackle the hilliest stage of the race so far, covering 198km from Sisteron to Vence and traversing four climbs including a first category ascent just nine kilometres from the line.
The early part of the race saw a group of 13 riders get away: Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal), Carlos Barbero (Movistar), Dylan Teuns (BMC Racing), Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ), Bert Van Lerberghe and Cyril Lemoine (Cofidis), Lars Bak (Lotto Soudal), Amaël Moinard (Fortuneo-Samsic), Paul Martens (LottoNL-Jumbo), Tom Scully (EF Education First-Drapac), and Fabian Grellier (Direct Energie).
Their task in the early part of the stage was aided somewhat as the peloton managed to take a wrong turn in the first few kilometres, before the bunch got itself in order and set about keeping the gap at no more than three minutes.
However the day's numerous ascents slowly whittled down the front group with only De Gendt, Grellier, Moinard and Scully still out front by the top of the Côte de Gourdon with 40km remaining.
A long descent followed that climb, and saw the start of the action in the peloton behind, which was now less than a minute behind the break.
Wout Poels (Team Sky) put in a small dig over the top to make sure he was in a good position for the winding descent, before Team Sky and Mitchelton-Scott combined on the front to raise the pace, just as race leader Luis Leon Sanchez suffered an ill-timed mechanical.
Thankfully for the Astana rider the bike change from a team-mate was swift, and after a few kilometres of frantic chasing he was back in the main group with the breakaway caught and less than 20km to go.
However even with Sanchez back in the pack, Mitchelton-Scott continued to drive the pace on the run-in to the first category climb of the Côte de la Colle sur Loup.
The Australian team continued to lead onto the climb before Dries Devenyns, working for Quick-Step Floors team-mate Julian Alaphilippe took over while the steep gradients caused devastation behind with riders fighting their bikes and Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) suffering a mechanical problem and having to rely on a spectator for a push to get him back up to speed.
At the front of the race few of the GC contenders seemed willing to attack, with two accelerations each from Wout Poels and Alexis Vuillermoz (Ag2r La Mondiale) causing a quick reaction that meant neither of them were able to get away.
Those accelerations did mean that the yellow jersey of Sanchez was briefly dropped dropped, before Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) made another move to try and get away on the descent.
Yates flew down the descent prompting a flurry of activity behind which saw Wout Poels crash heavily, hitting a roadside barrier but appearing not to be seriously injured as he was helped up by a police motorcyclist.
Meanwhile Yates was still pushing on in front, using an unclassified ramp to eek out a few more seconds of an advantage with six kilometres remaining while Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) tried to work for Sanchez behind.
The British rider only had a slender gap, but he soon enjoyed a bit of help as Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) bridged across and went straight to the front to bring the gap up to just over 10 seconds with four kilometres to go.
The gap was small enough to encourage attacks, and as soon as Fuglsang swung off the move came from Ion Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida) who pulled a small group along with him, including Sanchez, to create a group of 16 riders at the front.
Also in that group was Rudy Molard (Groupama-FDJ), and as they approached the flamme rouge the Frenchman put in a huge gap which no one seemed willing to chase.
Wrestling his bike from side to side, Molard's technique might not have been textbook but it was certainly effective as he was able to hold his advantage up the finishing straight, and have time to point to the Groupama-FDJ jersey as he crossed the line.
Results
Paris-Nice 2018, stage six: Sisteron to Vence (198km)
1. Rudy Molard (Fra) Groupama-FDJ, in 4-40-05 4:40:05
2. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal, at 2 secs
3. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors
4. Luis Leon Sanchez (Esp) Astana
5. Sam Oomen (Ned) Team Sunweb
6. Dylan Teuns (Bel) BMC Racing
7. Patrick Konrad (Aut) Bora-Hansgrohe
8. Esteban Chaves (Col) Mitchelton-Scott
9. Gorka Izagirre (Esp) Bahrain-Merida
10. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky, all at same time
General classification after stage six
1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Esp) Astana, in 22-25-33
2. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors, at 22 secs
3. Marc Soler (Esp) Movistar Team, at 26 secs
4. Gorka Izagirre (Esp) Bahrain-Merida, at 34 secs
5. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal, at 35 secs
6. Ion Izagirre (Esp) Bahrain-Merida, at 42 secs
7. Simon Yates (GBr) Mitchelton-Scott, at 45 secs
8. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky, at 46 secs
9. Esteban Chaves (Col) Mitchelton-Scott, at 48 secs
10. Patrick Konrad (Aut) Bora-Hansgrohe, at 54 secs
Thank you for reading 10 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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
Garmin Epix (Gen 2) smartwatch review - superb functionality, brilliant display, changed my life
All of the features of the top Fenix and Forerunner watches but with an enhanced AMOLED display - which makes it more expensive, but it's worth it
By Simon Smythe • Published
-
Parcours teams up with Classified to offer Powershift options across all its spoked wheelsets
Innovative British wheel brand unites with disruptor Belgian hub manufacturer
By Luke Friend • Published
-
An ode to Thibaut Pinot, the man who taught us to feel
The 32-year-old will retire at the end of this season, calling time on a career of highs and lows
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
From the World Championships to Paris-Roubaix: Cycling Weekly's wins of 2022
It is hard to look past Annemiek van Vleuten, but we tried, so here is the best win of the year, plus nine more
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'When there are 10 guys coming into the finish, I want to be one of them' - Lewis Askey on WorldTour life
Young British Groupama-FDJ rider has signed new contract with team until 2025
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'A big weight off my shoulders' — Jake Stewart takes 'emotional' first win
British rider breaks through with stage one victory at the Tour de l'Ain
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'He's going to win some big bike races' - Tom Pidcock hails Sam Watson as he turns pro with Groupama-FDJ
U23 British National champion has impressed his French team and more besides
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'Just perfect' — Arnaud Démare on a roll at the Giro d'Italia with two wins in a row
French sprinter triumphs for second day running on stage six
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'An unforgettable day' — Thibaut Pinot back winning after 1,007 days
The Frenchman won stage five of the Tour of the Alps to end his drought
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'I could have turned that s***ty page' — Thibaut Pinot emotional after missing out on first win in three years
Frenchman beaten by Miguel Àngel Lòpez at Tour of the Alps after being caught in final kilometre
By Adam Becket • Last updated