News: The Final Paris-Nice GC Battle

A two-second heartbreaker for Contador as he attacks to try and win Paris-Nice but comes up short as Henao wins the overall

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News: The Final Paris-Nice GC Battle

Team Press Release

Alberto Contador gave a classic ‘never-say-die’ performance for stage eight at Paris-Nice, attacking on the penultimate climb and riding his heart out in the final 50 kilometers only to fall short of the overall victory by two seconds.

Photo: @ParisNice (Twitter)

Race leader Sergio Henao (Sky), who was behind Contador by a minute at the top of the last climb, gradually clawed his way back in the 15-kilometer run-in.

Contador gained eight seconds in time bonuses, taking second in the intermediate sprint and to David De La Cruz (Quick-Step Floors) on the stage, and as the Henao group flew into the last kilometer, the clock ticked down. Henao needed to finish within 22 seconds to keep yellow.

It was a nail-biter. Then a heartbreaker. In the end, it was a good day, a beautiful day of cycling, and this is also important.

When the dust settled and the tally taken, Contador was two seconds shy of claiming his third Paris-Nice title. The closest margin in the history of the prestigious WorldTour race. Despite the disappointing news, a more thrilling finish could not have played out: it was cycling at its best. All thanks to a rider who throws caution to the wind and rides with a passion and flair found only in legends. Pure panache.

“Yeah, I gave everything,” said Contador, who paused and collected his breath, “and my team gave everything today, they were incredible. On the one hand, I am very happy because everyone knew I would attack when (Jarlinson) Pantano was pulling hard, and I had to be strong. It’s difficult to go alone because every rider is looking to me to do the work. But on the other hand, it is hard to lose by two seconds again and another second position.”

Jarlinson Pantano for the second straight day set up the attack by Contador by pulling full gas and putting the hurt on everyone on the penultimate climb. When he finally blew and pulled aside, Contador accelerated. No one could match the move as Contador continued to put pressure on, catching some of the breakaway riders ahead, then using the group until the final climb.

“Pantano for me is incredible,” said Contador. “He not only a teammate but also a very good friend, and when you enjoy each other’s company off the bike after you go more faster on the road. We are very motivated to work together, and he will be for me crucial in the Tour de France. With him, I can play with different options. I am very happy that he is with me in the team and I can only say to him: thanks, thanks, and thanks!”
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Henao, who looked to be in trouble behind, never panicked. Slowly his chase group swelled, giving him much-needed support, while Contador – who only had Soler and De la Cruz with him at the end – faded under his effort.

“De la Cruz worked hard, Soler did not help much, but that is normal; each rider has his own interests,” explained Contador about the last kilometers. “I am very happy for De la Cruz, and I say thanks to him giving me help in the false flat.

“Of course, if I don’t lose the time the first stage the tactics are very different. For example, yesterday I could have been concentrated for the stage win and not the GC. But okay, sometimes you are in the front, sometimes you are not, and then each day you must look at your position [in GC] and try to be more in front when you finish the stage. This is cycling.

“In the end, it was a good day, a beautiful day of cycling, and this is also important. Okay, I prefer a win of course, but this is the sport. Now I only think about rest and recovery before the next races.”

Touché.

Sergio Henao: “I suffered a lot. I want to thank everyone who made it possible, my team-mates and my wife. This is the greatest victory in my career and to win it like this at the last metre of Paris-Nice is simply unbelievable.”

“Paris-Nice is such a great race and there were so many great rivals like Alberto Contador. It was tough, but I didn’t ask myself any questions. I knew I had to suffer until the last minutes but I had to do it for myself and for the greatness of Colombian cycling.”

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