Sagan of Slovakia wins fifth stage of Paris-Nice, Contador keeps overall lead

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France - Peter Sagan of Slovakia won the fifth stage of the Paris-Nice race and Alberto Contador of Spain finished close behind to keep the overall lead.

Sagan, who won the third stage, forged ahead about two kilometres from the line and held on to beat Italian rider Mirco Lorenzetto by two seconds over the 157-kilometre ride from Pernes-les-Fontaines to Aix-en-Provence.

The 20-year-old Sagan won the stage in three hours 34 minutes 15 seconds

Contador called Sagan "an incredible rider" and predicted a bright future for the Slovakian.

"I think we will soon see him in other races, and that he will become a rival to watch out for," Contador said.

The chasing group included Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde, who finished third. Contador was 10th.

Although Contador and Valverde clocked the same time, Valverde picked up a sprint bonus and fractionally trimmed Contador's overall lead to 20 seconds. Roman Kreuziger of the Czech Republic is third overall, 25 seconds behind Contador.

The stage featured four minor climbs and Contador stayed safely in the chasing pack, flanked by his Astana teammates, but a fast and sustained rhythm meant that even an experienced stage rider like Contador felt the strain as no team could take control of the stage.

"This was a painful stage, we waited 100 kilometres for a breakaway to take shape, and it lasted for 10 kilometres," Contador said. "In these circumstances it's as if we spent a day with three category 1 climbs."

Saturday's hilly sixth stage from Peynie to Tourrettes-sur-Loup should favour Contador's superior climbing ability. It features seven minor climbs and ends with a Category 1 ascent - like Thursday's fourth stage which Contador easily won.

Contador said he thinks that there are "several ambitious riders who will try and attack" up the final climb.

Contador won Paris-Nice in 2007, the year of his first Tour win. He won his second Tour last year while on the same team as seven-time winner Lance Armstrong, one of his main rivals at this year's July 3-25 Tour.

The Paris-Nice race ends Sunday.