Third consecutive top ten finish for Soudal Quick-Step at the French race.
Due to the inclement weather – snow and strong winds – the organisers had to change the route of the penultimate stage, which was initially scheduled to finish on Auron, giving the climbers another opportunity to fight for victory or to try to improve their general classification. Instead, the peloton took on one of the shortest road stages in recent memory, just 47 kilometers from Pont Louis Nocera to Isola.
Despite it being an uphill finish, the climb favoured the durable sprinters, and after numerous attacks and a late crash that split the peloton, it came down to a reduced mass gallop, won by Dorian Godon (Ineos Grenadiers). Jasper Stuyven, who concluded third in Montargis at the beginning of the week, was again present for Soudal Quick-Step and took a solid eighth place.
The 84th edition of Paris-Nice finishes on Sunday with the traditional stage around Nice. The course is different from last year, but the many climbs and fast descents on the course are sure to give plenty of opportunities to the attackers.
Photo credit: ©Szymon Gruchalsky / Getty Images