A Cloudy Start…
The start of Stage 4 from Pertuis was given to 165 riders who faced cold conditions. To get warmer, the early attacks were numerous, notably in the Col des Portes: a 15-rider-escapee had an 1'-advantage on the pack. This group was caught in the Col de Mazauges by another pack, made of 27 riders, including Rous and Jalabert.

Up And Down…
In the ascent of the Côte de Mazauges, Beausset and Saint-Anne-d'Evenos, Italian teams Fassa Bortolo and Mapei were chasing behind the Rous/Jalabert group. In the penultimate climb, the Col du Corps-de-Garde, Spanish Garcia Casas attempted a solo attack. At the top, the gap with the bunch was 30'', lead by Walter Beneteau, Didier Rous and Laurent Jalabert. The second pack was 2'40'' behind.

The Mountains do not lie!
In the first twists of the Mont-Faron, Jalabert easily oustdistanced Rous, followed by Kivilev, Vinokourov, Voigt and Casar. Then Alexandre Vinokourov attacked and nobody was able to go with him. He won at the summit of the daunting mount, eleven years after former winner Tomy Rominger. Laurent Jalabert took the second place, ahead of Kivilev and Casar. Yesterday's leader Didier Rous lost one minute on the winner, Frigo 2'30'', Zülle 3'29 and Virenque 4'.

Vinokourov new leader
Vinokourov is the new leader of Paris-Nice; Jalabert is second (@6'') and Rous third (@49''). Cyril Dessel is still the best climber, Sandy Casar the best young rider and Spaniard Félix Garcia Casas Wins the Best agressive Rider Prize

Overhanging the harbour of Toulon, the 284m-high Mont-Faron is the green garden of the city. Its white cliffs, illuminated by the sun, are famous on the Riviera. Between the sea and the Alps, its deep valleys and its flourishing flora gather in themselves the elements of a typical Provence postcard.
In 1991, Paris-Nice stopped-over at the summit of the Mont-Faron: Swiss Tony Rominger won the stage as well as the race a few days later. A good sign for the Kazakh rider Alexandre Vinokourov; the answer next Sunday in Nice…