Paris-Nice Stage Six: Tondo blasts home with pack in close pursuit

Xavier Tondo has taken the sixth stage of Paris-Nice after a dramatic pursuit which saw him harried almost to the finish line.

The Cervelo rider attacked with 39kms to go and held on from there. He took the Col de Vence in first place, with yellow jersey holder Alberto Contador managing sixth.

The Col is a classic in Paris-Nice but the race had not tackled the 9-kms climb for eight years. In 1987, Stephen Roche lost the race when in punctured on it. However, he made up for it slightly by winning the Tour, the Giro and the world championship that year.

After the Col Tondo was alone in the lead, chased only by Damiano Cunego (Lampre), who was soon caught by the peloton.

A last minute breakout of riders including Voeckler, Riblon, Chavanel, Fofonov, Peraud, Intxauti and Coppel chased the leader, but didn't have the legs to make the final dying seconds. Yesterday's stage winner Peter Sagan impressed again with a third place.

Top Five

1. Xavier Tondo (Spain, Cervelo)
2. Alejandro Valverde (Spain, Caisse d’Epargne)
3. Peter Sagan (Slovakia, Liquigas)
4. Samuel Sanchez (Spain, Euskaltel)
5. Joaqsuin Rodriguez (Spain, Latusha)