cycling: Paris-Nice #5: Jerome Cousin robs frustrated Politt of victory

Cycling: Jerome Cousin (Direct Energie) has won the fifth stage of Paris-Nice. A frustrated Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) is only second, André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) is third. Cousin had left the field together with Politt, but left the leadership work exclusively to the German. In the final, the Katusha pro lost his strength and Cousin was the first to cross the line.

Cycling can sometimes be quite unfair. Actually, Nils Politt really deserved the stage win today. The tall German was one of the assets in an originally 4-man breakaway group that was able to break away from the field well before the finish. Shortly before the last climb of the day, the Côte de la Marquise, Politt broke away from his companions, only Jerome Cousin was able to catch up again a short time later.

Shortly after reaching the summit, however, the Frenchman gave up all leadership work and left Politt hanging in the wind. The field closed up more and more on the downhill last few kilometers and so Politt was left with only one decision - either give up the run or pull his companion to the finish. He chose the latter. With an enormous effort, he made it to the finish straight a few seconds ahead of the peloton, when Cousin then mobilized his saved strength and effortlessly passed the German to win the stage. Exhausted and shaking his head, Politt rolled over the line in second place. André Greipel won the sprint in the main field.

Overall leader Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) defended his lead and remains 15 seconds ahead of Wout Poels (Team Sky) and 26 seconds ahead of Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors)