Chavanel rules Paris-Nice 6th stage

NICE, France: Sylvain Chavanel of France won a bunch sprint to take the sixth stage of the Paris-Nice race yesterday, while Richie Porte of Australia kept the leader’s yellow jersey. Chavanel edged out Philippe Gilbert of Belgium to complete the 220-kilometer trek from Manosque to Nice in 5 hours, 14 minutes, 23 seconds.
Porte leads the overall standings, 32 seconds ahead of Andrew Talansky of the United States ahead of Sunday’s final stage, and is looking to become the first Australian to win the weeklong race. The Sky team controlled much of the race to protect Porte’s lead. Ego Silin and Eduard Vorganov of Russia broke away from the pack in the opening kilometers and were later joined by nine riders. The small group built a lead that reached nearly four minutes after 87 kilometers, but was reeled in 37K from the finish.
Froome wins tough 4th stage of
Tirreno-Adriatico
Meantime, Tour de France runner-up Chris Froome made an early season statement with a victory in the difficult uphill finish of stage four of the weeklong Tirreno-Adriatico race yesterday.
After his Sky teammates led him up most of the climb, Froome attacked in the final kilometer and finished six seconds ahead of Mauro Santambrogio of Italy, with defending champion Vincenzo Nibali crossing third, 11 seconds back.
Polish rider Mikhal Kwiatkowski finished fourth, 13 seconds back, and took the overall lead from Omega Pharma-Quick Step teammate Mark Cavendish, a sprinter who finished far back.
In the overall, Kwiatkowski has a four-second lead on Froome, with Nibali third, 16 seconds behind.
Alberto Contador, who finished sixth in the stage after several attacks in the final kilometers, is fourth overall, 30 seconds back.