Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Zdenek Stybar had a strong performance at the longest stage of Paris-Nice on Friday, which included Category 1 Col de Bourigaille and a Category 2 climb to the finish.
Styby finished 3rd in a brutal finale of 221.5km Paris-Nice Stage 6. The tempo on the final climb dropped several top GC contenders. Carlos Betancur (AG2R - La Mondiale) won his 2nd straight stage as he and UCI World Champion Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) battled it out in the final meters for the stage.
Due to the time gaps, Betancur also took over the race lead while Stybar moved up to 4th in the GC, 22" back. Jan Bakelants is now 8th in the GC, 29" back.
The race was filled with attacks, but nothing was able to stick as catches were made on both descents and climbs in the late kilometers.
OPQS looks next to a 195.5km Stage 7 on Saturday. This stage could also make the difference in the GC, but the categorized climbs are earlier in the stage rather than the finale. However, the finish in Biot Sophia Antipolis is uphill.