Behaved Bouhanni Captures Stage 4

Mar 10, 2016 – France’s Nacer Bouhanni sprinted to victory in the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice on Thursday, as Australia’s Michael Matthews held the overall race lead. Bouhanni, who was demoted from first to third on Tuesday, made no mistake to cross ahead of Belgian Edward Theuns, Germany’s Andre Greipel and Alexander Kristoff of Norway.

AFP/James Startt

It was the 25-year-old Cofidis rider’s third success on the Paris-Nice, and second stage win this season after the Tour of Andalusia in February.

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Orica-GreenEdge rider Matthews remains in the leader’s yellow jersey after finishing in fifth place. “The objective today was to preserve as much energy as possible in view of the days ahead,” said Matthews who said he had backed the decision taken on Wednesday to cancel the third stage due to snow.

“It was a good decision, it was too dangerous because of the conditions. The next stage on Friday? I expect a tough day but I think I can take on the Ventoux without too much problem and have a good sprint at the end. “All the sprinters won’t be there after the Ventoux. I will have to become a climber now.”

Friday’s stage will see the riders cross Mont Ventoux in the southern Provence region, covering 195km between Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux and Salon-de-Provence, with two short climbs in the final 40km.

Highlights from Stage 4

Summary – Stage 4 (Juliénas / Romans-sur-Isère… by tourdefrance

Results Stage 4:
1. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 4:42:29
2. Edward Theuns (Bel) Trek-Segafredo
3. André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudal
4. Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha
5. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
6 Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky
7. Nikolas Maes (Bel) Etixx – Quick-Step
8. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal
9. Youcef Reguigui (Alg) Dimension Data
10. Roy Curvers (Ned) Team Giant-Alpecin

General Classification:
1. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 14:24:15
2. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Giant-Alpecin 0:00:14
3. Patrick Bevin (NZl) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:00:19
4. Jon Izaguirre (Spa) Movistar Team
5. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky
6. Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Astana Pro Team 0:00:24
7. Dries Devenyns (Bel) IAM Cycling 0:00:25
8. Rafal Majka (Pol) Tinkoff Team 0:00:27
9. Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing Team
10. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal 0:00:28

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