The fifth stage of Paris-Nice from Onet-le-Chateau to Mende, a 178.5km course with six category climbs, featured a challenging 3km finish from that separated 12 riders from the rest of the field.
Levi Leipheimer was one of those riders, staying at the front for the category 1 climb that featured ramps of 10 percent. Riders looked around at each other waiting to see who would attack, and it was Lieuwe Westra (VCD) who made the decisive move in the final kilometer. He soloed to victory, cutting his GC time on yellow jersey leader Bradley Wiggins (SKY) to six seconds. Alejandro Valverde (MOV) was 2nd on the stage and Wiggins (SKY) 3rd. Levi was fourth on the stage, and because of Westra's aggressiveness, Levi dropped a place in the GC to 3rd. He now trails Wiggins by 10 seconds, but is only four seconds back from Westra. Sylvain Chavanel, who was 4th in the GC going into the stage at 14 seconds back, finished 29th on the stage after losing contact (+01'04") in the final kilometers.. He is now 9th in the GC, one minute and 16 seconds back.
"It was a hard race with a lot of wind and cold from the beginning," Leipheimer said. "On the final climb I have to say that Team Sky did a great job. Richie Porte made the rhythm until the last kilometer and then Wiggins took things in his hands. Westra did a big number anticipating everybody and now is entered in the fight for the GC win. As far as I'm concerned, I think I did a good race with once again a great team around me. It's a pity that I didn't take the bonification seconds at the finish. Bradley surprised me and he finished 3rd behind Valverde. In any case it was a good stage for me. I'm always in the fight for the win. If nothing strange happens in the next 2 stages, the race will be decided in the last time trial. It will be important to be there on Sunday fresh and ready to fight."
Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team did a tremendous job protecing their GC contenders, Chavanel and Leipheimer, when the peloton caught a six rider break within the final 30km. The break was initially four riders, but over the course of several category 1, 2 and 3 climbs the gap was chipped away leading into the final couple of climbs.
"I started Paris-Nice with.bronchitis but I wanted to start in any case," Chavanel said. "I'm always really motivated for this race. As national champion I really wanted to do well. Today it was difficult for me. The legs were good, but I couldn't breathe as I wanted. I did my best and now I'm 9th in the GC. I will give all on Sunday to try to remain in the top 10. It would be a great team result."