Sergio Henao placed 8th in Paris-Nice’s Turini stage

Paris Nice

In the most awaited stage of Paris Nice, the Col du Turini summit finish, Daniel Martinez (EF Drapac) rode clear for the win ahead of Miguel Lopez (Astana) and Nicholas Edet (Cofidis). UAE Team’s Colombian climber, Sergio Henao arrived at 2’08” back in eighth.

“It was a tough stage with a very large escape,” said Henao. “When we started the last climb, I knew that Lopez, Martinez and Yates were among the most dangerous in the leading group. I tried to stay with them but I couldn’t manage. In the end, I took home eighth place, which may not mean much, but gives me morale to try again in tomorrow’s stage.”

The first to reach the final climb was the large group of 38 attackers, which reached a maximum advantage of seven minutes in the day. Behind in the group, former race leader Michal Kwiatkowski went into crisis-mode at 4km to race. It left his young Colombian team-mate Egan Bernal to ride ahead into the leader’s jersey.

Tomorrow, Henao faeces the 110km stage around Nice that ends the race.

Stage 7 result:

1 Daniel Martinez (Col) EF Education First 4:55:49

2 Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team +6

3 Nicolas Edet (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits +20

8 Sergio Henao (Col) UAE Team Emirates +2’08”

General classification after stage 7:

1 Egan Bernal (Col) Team Sky 26:35:26

2 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Deceuninck-Quick Step +45”

3 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team +46”

29 Sergio Henao (Col) UAE Team Emirates +16’08”

Tirreno-Adriatico

In the fourth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, the former world champion and UAE Team Emirates cyclist, Rui Costa climbed to 11th place. He survived a demanding day from Foligno to Fossombrone, 221 kilometres, with the hard Cappuccini climb repeated twice before reaching the finish.

Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Pro Team) won the stage in a small four-man sprint after having been alone for a long time and also crashing in the final kilometre. He won ahead of Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo – Visma) and Adam Yates (Mitchelton – Scott). The Brit Yates keeps the blue leader’s jersey with two days left.

Costa said, “The stage today was very difficult and was the second day that we have ridden over 200km. I had pretty good feelings, the climb to Cappuccini was very hard. I was able to remain with the principle group. The Four riders who played with the stage were very strong. Tomorrow we expecting another typical day and I hope to be up there again with the best riders.”

The fifth stage goes from Colli al Metauro to Recanati, 178km. It’s a difficult day with nine climbs or ‘walls’ in quick sequence over a circuit of 22.3km to be repeated three times. The climb closest to the finish line climbs hits 18% at times.

Stage 4 result:

1 Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana Pro Team 5:16:29

2 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma s.t.

3 Adam Yates (GBr) Mitchelton-Scott s.t.

11 Rui Costa (Por) UAE Team Emirates +23”

General classification after stage 4:

1 Adam Yates (GBr) Mitchelton-Scott 15:53:42

2 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma +7″

3 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Sunweb +50″

12 Rui Costa (Por) UAE Team Emirates +1’48”