Cycling: Pure excitement on the fifth stage from Paris – Nice. In a heart-stopping final between escapees and the main field, Niccolò Bonifazio (Total Direct Energie) took the day's win in the sprint. The tragic figure was Jan Tratnik (Bahrain - McLaren), who was caught just meters from the finish. Maximilian Schachmann (Bora – hansgrohe) continues to lead in the overall standings.
Jan Tratnik is only a few meters away
Jan Tratnik (Bahrain – McLaren) is the tragic figure of the fifth stage from Paris – Nice. Together with the Irish Ryan Mullen (Trek – Segafredo) and the two Frenchmen Alexis Gougeard (AG2R La Mondiale) and Anthony Turgis (Total Direct Energie) the Slovenian formed the four-man breakaway of the day. On the 227,0 kilometer route from Gannat to La Côte-Saint-André, the quartet was able to gain a lead of several minutes. As the peloton started to catch up, the escapees seemed doomed to failure as usual. But Jan Tratnik didn't give up. The 30-year-old shook off his companions in the last few kilometers and from then on fought alone against the horde of sprinters that was getting closer and closer.
Niccolò Bonifazio passes
As a Caleb ewan (Lotto – Soudal) suffered a breakdown 2,0 kilometers from the finish and thus had to retire from the race for the day's victory, increasing the chances of Jan Tratnik, to reach the goal before everyone else. But when he made the final corners and could see the finish line right in front of him, he was overtaken. He should be missing 20, maybe 30 meters - and that on a stage well over 200 kilometers long. One man's sorrow is another man's joy. That's how it should be today Niccolo Bonifazio (Total Direct Energie) are happy about the success. The Italian clearly won Ivan Garcia (Bahrain – McLaren) and Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe). And Jan Tratnik? He ended up turning 13.
Che number di @Bonifacio_993!
The corridor of Direct Energie anticipated the volata, riprende Tratnik and Vince la quinta tappa: da applausi👏#ParisNICE | #EurosportCICLISMO pic.twitter.com/oy8KKwX1gk
- Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) March 12, 2020