Paris-Nice Stage 4: Bouhanni gains redemption in Romans-sur-Isere

Cofidis' Nacer Bouhanni made amends for his stage 2 relegation by taking a clean sprint win, ahead of Edward Theuns (TFS) and André Greipel (LTS).

Tommy Voeckler (DEN) spearheaded the early breakaway and was quickly joined by Matthew Brammeier (DDD), Florian Vachon (FVC) and Evaldas Siskevicius (DPM), although the peloton kept the group at arms length ahead of the second category climb of the Cote de Saint-Uze, 32 km from the end.

As the breakaway hit the climb, Voeckler attacked and jumped clear of the other riders. Meanwhile, a crash in the main field ended up with a number of riders hitting the deck, including Geraint Thomas (SKY), while Alexander Kristoff (KAT) suffered a mechanical and Marcel Kittel (EQS) and Arnaud Démare (FDJ) were dropped, with Demare eventually abandoning.

Nathan Haas (DDD) tried to attack over the top of the climb, only to end up in a field after misjudging a corner.

Sylvain Chavanel (DEN), Sep Vanmarcke (TLJ) and Delio Fernandez Cruz (DPM) caught up to, and then left behind, Voeckler, and had 15 seconds on the peloton with 7 km to go.

With 2 km remaining, Katusha and Cofidis took charge at the head of the group and put their foot on the gas in an effort to catch the trio out front. The breakaway was stubborn, though and resisted the catch until under a kilometre to go.

Bouhanni timed his sprint to perfection and never looked like being pipped to the line as the Frenchman took the stage.

Overall leader Michael Matthews (OGE) finished in fifth, to maintain his 14-second lead over Tom Dumoulin (TGA).

ASO/G. Demouveaux

Stage winner Nacer Bouhanni (COF): "I'm really glad to have won, especially after the work done by my teammates. My form is growing little by little and Paris-Nice is the ideal preparation for my big objective, which is Milan-San Remo."

GC leader Michael Matthews (OGE): "Today was about saving energy. I was really tired after yesterday. It was only 100 km but they were really tiring.

"Tomorrow is another hard day but I think I can get over the Ventoux. If that's the case and there's a few sprinters left, I'll be among those who stand a good chance. Between the GC and another stage win? I'm really going to take it day by day."

Stage results:
1. Nacer Bouhanni (COF) 4:42:29
2. Edwaed Theuns (TFS) + :00
3. André Greipel (LTS) + :00

General Classification:
1. Michael Matthews (OGE) 14:24:15
2. Tom Dumoulin (TGA) + :14
3. Patrick Bevin (CPT) + :19
4. Ion Izaguirre (MOV) + :19
5. Geraint Thomas (SKY) + :19
6. Lieuwe Westra (AST) + :24
7. Dries Devenyns (IAM) + :25
8. Rafal Majka (TNK) + :27
9. Richie Porte (BMC) + :27
10. Tim Wellens (LTS) + :28

King of the Mountains:
1. Evaldas Siskevicius (DPM) 15
2. Thomas Voeckler (DEN) 9
3. Ion Izaguirre (MOV) 4

Points Classification:
1. Michael Matthews (OGE) 44
2. Nacer Bouhanni (COF) 33
3. Ben Swift (SKY) 22