Simon Yates attacks rivals to win Paris-Nice stage six
British rider Simon Yates takes his first victory of the season, as Julian Alaphilippe fights to keep his Paris-Nice overall lead

Simon Yates wins stage six of Paris-Nice (ASO)

Simon Yates (Orica-Scott) launched a stinging solo attack during stage six of 2017 Paris-Nice on Friday to net the victory and move up into the top 10 overall.
Yates made his move on the climb-filled stage from a lead group of around 25 riders just before the summit of the second pass of the Col de Bourigaille with 18 kilomeres left to go. The remnants of the day's eight-man escape group – Eduardo Sepulveda (Fortuneo) and Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) – had been caught just a couple of kilometres before.
None of the main favourites reacted to Yates's move, including race leader Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors). As Yates crested the climb and hit the twisting descent, he quickly built up a significant lead.
Despite a concerted chase behind from the favourites' group led by Mikel Nieve (Team Sky) – working for Sergio Henao – and Nicolas Roche (BMC Racing) – working for Richie Porte – Yates continued to gain time.
>>> Paris-Nice 2017: Latest news, reports and info
By the base of the final 1.3km climb to Fayence, Yates had 45 seconds in hand.
As the chasers hit the climb, Porte was the first to attack, dragging Alaphilippe with him and with Henao in close attendance.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Porte and Alaphilippe faded as they reached the steepest section of the ascent, and were passed by Henao, who accelerated ahead – but it was too late for the Colombian national champion to overhaul Yates, as the British rider crossed the line with his hands in the air.
Henao came home for second place, 17 seconds behind Yates, with Porte settling for third at 26 seconds.
Alaphilippe staged a comeback aided by team-mate Dan Martin to finish in fourth place and retain his position in the yellow jersey. Martin appeared to sacrifice gaining any time for himself, waving Alaphilippe through to take the higher placing.
Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) finished in eighth place, at 32 seconds, and now sits seventh overall.
Yates's move means he now moves up to eighth overall, one minute and 37 seconds behind Alaphilippe. Having lost time in the weather-affected opening stages of the race, Yates said after the finish that he had to try something to claw back time.
"I said to myself why not, I have nothing to lose," Yates explained. "If I get caught, I get caught. I tried and it worked.
"It's one of the biggest races to do, one of the hardest. I'm sure happy to win again, my first of the season. I'm still quite far behind [on GC], so it will be hard to take the time back. We'll see what happens."
Yates will not have to wait long for another climbing challenge, as the race hits the highest point in its history on Saturday's stage seven, with a finale atop the first category climb of Col de la Couillole. The 2017 edition of Paris-Nice concludes on Sunday, March 12.
Result
Paris-Nice 2017, stage six: Aubagne to Fayence, 192 km
1. Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott, in 4-37-51
2. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky, at 17 secs
3. Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing, at 26 secs
4. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors, at 29 secs
5. Daniel Martin (Irl) Quick-Step Floors, at same time
6. Jon Izagirre (Esp) Bahrain-Merida, at 32 secs
7. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana
8. Alberto Contador (Esp) Trek-Segafredo
9. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha-Alpecin
10. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto-Soudal, all same time
General classification after stage six
1. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors, in 21-58-22
2. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto-Soudal, at 36 secs
3. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky, at 46 secs
4. Gorka Izagirre (Esp) Movistar, at 57 secs
5. Daniel Martin (Irl) Quick-Step Floors, at 1-20
6. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha-Alpecin, at 1-31
7. Alberto Contador (Esp) Trek-Segafredo, at 1-34
8. Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott, at 1-37
9. Jon Izagirre (Esp) Bahrain-Merida, at 2-04
10. Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Sunweb, at 3-08
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

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
'The kebab was a bad idea' - how I fuelled for a 24-hour time trial
Everything you should - and shouldn't - eat on an ultra-distance road ride
-
'This is not justice' - driver who killed teen cyclist gets four-year sentence
Yeva Smilianska avoids max sentence for her role in the death of Magnus White in 2023
-
Wout van Aert rode harder than ever on the Finestre to help deliver Simon Yates to Giro d’Italia victory
Belgian put in 'career best performance' according to Visma-Lease a Bike's head of performance
-
Giro d'Italia celebrations, the Tour de France, BBC Sports Personality of the Year? What's next for Simon Yates
'It's his crowning moment, without a doubt' says Nick Hall, former Bury Clarion Cycling Club chair
-
'I’m not an emotional person, but I couldn’t hold back the tears' - Simon Yates writes his redemption arc story to seal Giro d'Italia victory on Colle delle Finestre
British Visma-Lease a Bike rider had the perfect stage on Saturday to jump up general classification and seal overall victory
-
'They never once checked me for concussion' - Jonas Vingegaard calls out head injury protocol after Paris-Nice crash
Two-time Tour de France winner says he was 'completely dizzy and nauseous' in days after crash
-
Identical start, diverging destinies? The story of Adam and Simon Yates as they both race for pink at the Giro d'Italia
Adam and Simon Yates head to the Giro d’Italia on different teams and with different prospects. As their career paths diverge, does the brotherly bond endure?
-
Altitude, Colle delle Finestre and an open field: Simon Yates presents his case for Giro d'Italia glory
The Visma-Lease a Bike rider will return to the Colle delle Finestre in this year's Giro, for the first time since he lost pink on its slopes in 2018.
-
Can anyone stop Primož Roglič or Juan Ayuso from winning the Giro d’Italia?
Roglič and Ayuso's form suggest they are the two outright favourites for overall victory in Rome next month
-
Jonas Vingegaard out of Volta a Catalunya after Paris-Nice crash
Visma-Lease a Bike say two-time Tour de France winner needs more time to recover from wrist injury sustained in France last week