Key moments

16:18 - Top five placings

Top five placings in the 178.5-kms fifth stage of Paris-Nice between Onet-le-Chateau and Mende:
1. Lieuwe Westra (VCD)
2. Alejandro Valverde (MOV) six seconds behind
3. Bradley Wiggins (SKY)
4. Levi Leipheimer (OPQ)
5. Simon Spilak (KAT)      all same time. 

16:17 - Valverde second ahead of Wiggins

Alejandro Valverde (MOV) was second and Bradley Wiggins (SKY) third.

16:16 - Westra wins 5th stage

Dutchman Lieuwe Westra (VCD) won the 5th stage.

16:15 - Wiggins attacks

Bradley Wiggins attacks now behind Jeannesson. But Lieuwe Westra (VCD) counters and goes.

16:14 - Jeannesson attacks

Arnold Jeannesson (FDJ) attacks under the red flame.

16:13 - Porte leads the way for Wiggins

Richie Porte is leading the way for Bradley Wiggins, making sure to set the right tempo to take the Briton safely to the finish.

16:12 - Chavanel dropped

French champion Sylvain Chavanel (OPQ), 4th overall, has just been dropped.

16:11 - Sky lead the way

A Team Sky rider is leading the way with Bradley Wiggins in his wheel. Leipheimer, Van Garderen and Cunego are just behind.

16:10 - Tony Martin dropped

Tony Martin (OPQ) is dropped again early on.

16:09 - Veuchelen caught

Early in Cote de la Croix-Neuve, Veuchelen is caught. Several riders are dropped straightaway.

16:08 - Results of the sprint

Result of the sprint in Mende (km 175):
1. Veuchelen 3 pts, 3 secs
2. Brajkovic (AST) 2 pts, 2 secs
3. Kiserlovski (AST) 1 pt, 1 sec.

16:05 - Veuchelen at the foot of the climb

Veuchelen is alone in front at the foot of the last climb. But the peloton are just behind him.

16:03 - Results on Cote de Chabrits (km 170.5, 2nd cat)

1. Veuchelen 7 points
2. Arashiro 5 pts five secs behind
3. Ten Dam 3 pts
4. Arroyo (MOV) 2 pts 15 secs behind
5. Moreno (MOV) 1 pt

16:02 - Veuchelen alone in the front

Veuchelen refuses to give up. He wants to collect the seven points awarded to the first man on top of Cote de Chabrits (2nd cat, km 170.5).

16:01 - Mate dropped

Polka-dot jersey holder Luis Angel Mate has been dropped in the Cote de Chabrits.

15:59 - Peloton back

The peloton is now on the heels of the six escapees.

15:58 - Ten Dam and Seledrayers join the four

With nine kilometres to go, Seeldrayers and Ten Dam just caught Le Lay, Arishiro, Clarke and Veuchelen.

15:56 - Gallopin: "Leipheimer is my favourite"

RadioShack-Nissan team director Alain Gallopin knows Levi Leipheimer well, as the American was in his team last year: "If he finishes close to Valverde and Wiggins today, Levi will win Paris-Nice. He’s my favourite," he told France Television.

15:49 - 10 kms to go

and the four lead Ten Dam and Seeldrayers by 15 seconds, the peloton by 45 seconds.

15:48 - 15 kms to go

and the lead of the four escapees on Seeldrayers and Ten Dam is 45 seconds. The peloton is 1:25 behind.

15:41 - Ledanois: "Of course we have ambitions"

Movistar team director Yvon Ledanois told France Televisions: "Of course, we have ambitions. Movistar would not be on the attack if we did not. We’re looking to make up for lost time and this is an opportunity we can’t miss."

15:40 - Movistar up another gear

The full Movistar team is now leading the peloton in the descent and speeding to catch the escapees.

15:36 - 25 kms to go

and the lead of the four escapees is just over the minute on Seeldrayers and Ten Dam. The peloton 1:40 behind.

15:33 - Mottier: "Thomas is in great shape"

Joined by www.letour.fr, Europcar team director Ismael Mottier warned Thomas Voeckler was in great shape and could try his luck in the finale: "The peloton reacted, it will be hard for the break. As for Thomas, his sensations are good and he’s ready to attack. It can be today, but also tomorrow or Saturday. The climb can suit him and if he has a chance, he will seize it."

15:29 - Average speed

The average speed in the fourth hour of the stage was 34.8 kph. The overall average speed was 36.6 kph.

15:25 - Full results on Cote de l’Estrade (1st cat, km 146.5)

1. Veuchelen 10
2. Le Lay 8
3. Arashiro 6
4. Clarke 4
5. Seeldrayers 3 1:20 behind
6. Ten Dam 2
7. De Gendt (VCD) 1:40
The bunch 1:50 behind

15:24 - Results on Cote de l’Estrade (1st cat, km 146.5)

1. Veuchelen 10 points
2. Le Lay 8
3. Arashiro 6
4. Clarke 4

15:17 - Latest gap

The break are reaching the top with a 1:30 lead over the two chasers and 1:55 over the peloton.

15:16 - Gerrans is struggling

Second in the third stage behind Alejandro Valverde, Simon Gerrans (GEC) is struggling in Cote de l’Estrade. He probably did not quite recover from his crash yesterday.

15:14 - 35 kms to go

and the gap between Le Lay, Clarke, Arishiro, Veuchelen and the chasers is down to 2:15.

15:13 - Seeldrayers and Ten Dam chase

Kevin Seeldrayers (AST) and Laurens Ten Dam (RAB) are chasing behind the break.

15:06 - Lavenu: " No big trauma for Blel"

AG2R team manager Vincent Lavenu said Blel Kadri had been taken to hospital to Mende after his crash but there was "no big trauma".
"He rode over a bottle and crashed badly. It was spectacular because the eyebrow ridge was touched. The collarbone was hurt. Hopefully the hip was not touched."

15:04 - The break in Cote de l’Estrade

Le Lay, Clarke, Arishiro and Veuchelen are now in the 1st category Cote de l’Estrade (km 141).

15:00 - 40 kms to go

and the gap keeps going down: 3:45.

14:54 - Casar calls it quits

Sandy Casar, the leader of team FDJ-Bigmat, has given up.

14:50 - Movistar lead the bunch

The tempo is raising in the peloton after Movistar and BMC riders took the reins from the Team Sky team-mates of yellow jersey holder Bradley Wiggins.

14:47 - Bad crash for Kadri

Blel Kadri (AG2R) crashed badly at km 125. He is being taken care of by the race medical service.

14:45 - 50 kms to go

and the lead of the four escapees - Veuchelen, Clarke, Le Lay and Arashiro - is 5:15.

14:44 - Latest gap

Km 121 - The gap is going down: 5:20.

14:32 - Verbrugghe: "Tejay is the revelation of the race"

BMC team director Rik Verbrugghe, joined by www.letour.fr is full of praise for his team leader Tejay Van Garderen, currently third overall: "Tejay is in form as he was in Tour de l’Algarve. I said before this Paris-Nice that he could be the revelation of this Paris-Nice and he’s proving it. He doesn’t know Mende but last night we watched videos of it in 2010 on Paris-Nice and the Tour and it should suit him. It’s too early to make him a race favourite. Wiggins and Leipheimer are. But there’s a third spot on the podium to grab. Tejay is a time trial specialist and he likes to climb, so he should be at his best on Col d’Eze. We will go and check it the morning before the race. Generally speaking, Tejay has the profile of a great stage race rider. He is young and can still improve a lot." 

14:31 - Latest gap

Km 111.5 - At the top of the climb, the gap between the four and the bunch is 6:10.

14:30 - Average speed

The average speed for the third hour of the stage was 29,8 kph. The overall average speed was 37.2 kph.

14:28 - Veuchelen one point behind Mate

The Belgian keeps collecting points for the polka-dot jersey. He is now one point behind Luis Angel Mate (COF). 

14:18 - Results on Cote du Cayla (km 111.5, 3rd cat)

1. Veuchelen 4
2. Le Lay 2
3. Arishiro 1

14:17 - Latest gap

Km 103.5 - The lead is now down to six minutes.

14:03 - Positions in the mountain classification

Here are the positions in the mountain classification after La Maulene.
1. Luis Angel Mate (COF) 20
2. Frederik Veuchelen (VCD) 15
3. Bart De Clercq (LTB) 15
4. Thomas De Gendt (VCD) 13

14:02 - Full results on Cote de la Malene (km 96, 1st cat)

1. Veuchelen 10
2. Le Lay 8
3. Arashiro 6
4. Clarke 4
5. De Gendt 3
6. Mate 2
7. De Clercq 1

14:01 - Gap at the top

The gap with the peloton at the top is 6:05.

13:49 - Results on Cote de la Malene (km 96, 1st cat)

1. Veuchelen 10 points
2. Le Lay 8
3. Arashiro 6
4. Clarke 4
...

13:48 - Average speed

The average speed in the second hour of the race was 42.1 kph. The overall average speed was 40.9 kph.

13:44 - Support for Wiggins and Valverde

Bradley Wiggins (SKY) and Alejandro Valverde (MOV) can count on solid team-mates in the final climb. Xavier Zandio (SKY) finished 4th in Mende in 2005 while David Lopez-Garcia (MOV) finished third on the same climb in 2007. 

13:44 - In Paris-Nice 2010

In the 2010 Paris-Nice, Alberto Contador had been fastest on the final
climb overlooking Mende. Alejandro Valverde was second. The Spaniard
then reached the top 34 seconds before Sylvain Chavanel. Levi Leipheimer
crossed the line 59 seconds behind Valverde. That day, Thomas Voeckler
finished fourth, 10 seconds behind Valverde in the same time as Damiano
Cunego.

13:43 - The break in La Malene

Km 91 - The four leaders are tackling the first first category climb of this Paris-Nice, Cote de la Malene.

13:30 - Crosswinds at the finish

Dreadful gusts of crosswind on the finale. There were even a few snowflakes earlier in the day, but the weather is dry and freezing now.

13:13 - Latest gap

Km 79 - The gap between Le Lay, Arishiro, Clarke, Veuchelen and the peloton is 6:35.

13:03 - Happy birthday Joost

Joost Posthuma (RNT) would obviously have loved to celebrate his birthday on Paris-Nice as usual. A stomach bug decided otherwise. A happy 31st birthday all the same, Joost.

13:01 - 27 nations still in the race

The 166 riders still in the race belong to 27 nations. France is the
stronger contingent (40), followed by Spain (22).
France: 40
Belgium: 20
Spain: 22
Italy: 15
Germany: 12
Netherlands: 9 (-Veelers)
Australia: 9
United States: 5
Denmark: 5
Russia: 3
Belarus, Slovenia : 3
Britain, Kazakhstan, Norway, Poland, Switzerland: 2
Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, Estonia, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, Sweden: 1

12:26 - Latest gap

Km 50 - The four still lead the main bunch by 6:40.

12:24 - Average speed

The average speed in the first hour of the stage was 39.7 kph.

12:21 - Latest gap

Km 33 - The gap between the four and the main bunch is stable at 6:40.

12:20 - Veuchelen in brief

Frederik Veuchelen is 33. His main victory to date is ‪Dwars door Vlaanderen‬ in 2006.

12:20 - Arashiro’s brief profile

Yukiya Arashiro was Japan champion in 2007. He won a stage in the Tour du Limousin in 2008. The Asian champion in 2011, he is 27.

12:19 - Simon Clarke’s short profile

Former track specialist Simon Clarke’s main victory on the road was the under-23 Australian champion title in 2008. He also won a stage in the Tour of Japan that year

12:10 - Le Lay in brief

David Le Lay (SAU) is 32. His main victories include Circuit de la Sarthe in 2009, Tour du Finistere and Trophee des Grimpeurs in 2008.

12:05 - Le Lay the best placed overall

David Le Lay is the best placed rider in the break (34th, 3:26 behind Bradley Wiggins).

11:56 - Latest gap

Km 21 - Le Lay, Arashiro, Clarke and Veuchelen lead the peloton by 6:50.

11:53 - Latest gap

Km 14 - The four escapees now lead the peloton by six minutes. The bunch is led by six Team Sky riders.

11:50 - Results on the Col d’Aujols (3rd cat, km 163)

1. Veuchelen (VCD) 4 pts
2. Le Lay (SAU) 2 pts
3. Arashiro (EUC) 1 pt

11:48 - Unlucky Levarlet

Guillaume Levarlet (SAU) was unlucky to crash and injure his elbow yesterday as the race was coming on familiar terrain. The Frenchman, who received 15 stitches, won in Mende last year in the Tour du Gevaudan and also won the overall.

11:47 - On the 2010 Tour de France

The last finish on the Cote de Croix Neuve in Mende was in the 2010 Tour de France, when the stage was won by Spain’s Joaquin Rodriguez. 
Of the riders in this Paris-Nice, Andreas Kloeden finished 7th, 10 seconds behind and Denis Menchov 8th in the same time. Levi Leipheimer was 11th, 17 seconds adrift. Damiano Cunego and Bradley Wiggins finished together in 13th and 14th place, 31 seconds behind the day’s winner.

11:41 - Gap increases

Km 10 - Le Lay, Clarke, Arashiro and Veuchelen lead the peloton by 2:45.

11:39 - Latest gap

Km 9 - The four lead the peloton by 1:50.

11:37 - Latest gap

Km 8 - The gap between the four escapees and the peloton is 1:20.

11:36 - Monfort: "Not used to be a leader"

Belgium’s Maxime Monfort found himself the leader of the RadioShack-Nissan team after the withdrawal of Andy Schleck, a role he is not used to but feels ready to play:
"I was a protected rider at the start. But leader is not a role I’m used to play. Still I think I can endorse it without any problem," he told Eurosport.
"I didn’t check Saturday’s course because these are roads we know by heart but I did a little race simulation on the Col d’Eze to establish a reference time that I can use on Sunday."

11:33 - Latest gap

Km 6 - The four escapees lead the bunch by 30 seconds. Two riders, Vorganov and Seeldrayers tried join the break, but were reined in by the bunch.

11:27 - Four men on the move

Km 2 - Four riders broke away: Simon Clarke (GEC), Frederik Veuchelen (VCD), Yuyika Arahsiro (EUC) and David Le Lay (SAU).

11:26 - Geraint Thomas: "The hardest day so far"

On his personal website, Wiggins team-mate Geraint Thomas (SKY) explains the team tactics today: "It’s the hardest day so far and we’ll likely see a lot of attacks at the start. Again the plan will be as in recent days. Hopefully we can get Brad to the bottom of Mende in the best position possible. Then it’s over to him… We have the belief and confidence in him and I can’t wait to get out there now!!"

11:26 - In the press today

L’Equipe singles out Alejandro Valverde (MOV) as the man to beat in today’s stage, views shared by riders and team directors. Valverde himself said the Monde climb suited him "on condition that the legs respond well". Yellow jersey holder Bradley Wiggins also names the Spaniard as the man to watch out for: "The favorite for sure is Valverde. It’s for him," he said. As for his own chances, the Briton said he would just do his utmost: "I’m just going to empty the tank and see where it puts me."

11:22 - Start given

The start was given at 11:25 to 166 riders.

11:19 - Jersey holders

Bradley Wiggins (SKY) retained his yellow jersey ahead of two Americans, Levi Leipheimer (OPQ, 6 secs behind) and Tejay Van Garderen (BMC, 11 secs adrift). The green jersey remained on the back of Alejandro Valverde (MOV), ahead of Wiggins and fourth stage winner Gianni Meersman (LTB).
The polka-dot jersey changed hands yesterday and now belongs to the "Andalusian lynx", Luis Angel Mate, ahead of yeterday’s breakaway companion Bart De Clercq (LTB).
The white jersey stayed the property of Van Garderen, who retained his 3:01 lead over Team Sky’s Rigoberto Uran.
Omega Pharma Quick Step (OPQ) still lead the team standings with a 2:54 lead over Team Sky. 

11:16 - Tom Veelers not starting

Dutchman Tom Veelers (PRO) is not starting.

11:16 - Climbs of the day

Km 15.5 - Col d’Aujols (3rd cat)
Km 96 - Cote de la Malene (1st cat)
Km 111.5 - Cote du Cayla (3rd cat)
Km 146.5 - Cote de l’Estrade (1st cat)
Km 170.5 - Cote de Chabrits (2nd cat)
Km 178.5 - La Croix Neuve (1st cat)

11:15 - Sprint of the day

Km 175 - Mende

11:14 - Welcome on the 5th stage

Welcome on the 178.5-kms 5th stage of Paris-Nice between Onet-le-Chateau and Mende.

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