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Roy takes stage at Paris-Nice, Chavanel still in yellow

By VeloNews.com
Published: Mar. 12, 2009
2009 Paris-Nice, stage 5: Jeremy Roy gets the win.
2009 Paris-Nice, stage 5: Jeremy Roy gets the win.
Photo: Graham Watson

Jeremy Roy (Française des Jeux) won the fifth stage of Paris-Nice on Thursday.

Roy won the 204km stage from Annonay to Vallon Pont d'Arc, crossing the line in 4hr 58min 47sec.

Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step), retained the overall lead.

2009 Paris-Nice
Stage 5 Annonay to Vallon-Pont-d'Arc 204km (126.8 miles)

GC Leader: Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step)
Stage winner: Jeremy Roy (Française des Jeux) in 4:58:47
 Stage winner's average speed: 40.96 kph (25.46 mph)
Best Young Rider GC: Kevin Seeldrayers (Quick Step)
Mountain leader: Tony Martin (Columbia-Highroad)
Best Team GC: Rabobank
Points Leader: Mirco Lorenzetto (Lampre - N.g.c)
Peloton: 145 riders finished stage 4.
Up next: Stage 6 is 182.5 km (113.4 miles) from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to La Montagne de Lure. The route includes six categorized climbs, finishing atop the category one Montagne de Lure, dubbed "Ventoux's Little Sister."
2009 Stage winners:
Stage 1: Alberto Contador (Astana)
Stage 2: Heinrich Haussler (Cervelo TestTeam)
Stage 3: Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step)
Stage 4: Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream)
Stage 5: Jeremy Roy (Française des Jeux)

"I really went for it. I gave it my all and it's a fantastic feeling," said Roy, who despite modestly indicating that "I'm not really a sprinter" won a race to the line following a breakaway which he launched just an hour into the stage to deny Frenchman Thomas Voeckler and Germany's Tomy Martin.

For Roy, a 25-year-old from the western city of Tours, it was his first career win since he turned pro in 2003 and marked a reversal of fortunes after he ended Tuesday's fourth stage into Saint Etienne in last spot.

2009 Paris-Nice, stage 5: Haussler and Fischer sprint for fourth.
2009 Paris-Nice, stage 5: Haussler and Fischer sprint for fourth.
Photo: Graham Watson

German Heinrich Haussler led in the peloton some two minutes behind the leading group following the longest stage of the event which took place in bright sunshine.

Friday's 182.5 km sixth stage will see the riders embark on a race to the only summit finish at Lure — the "Little Sister of the Ventoux" — at an altitude of some 1600m and featuring 13.8 km climb at an average 6.6 percent gradient.

Paris-Nice, 2009.
Stage 5 - Annonay to Vallon Pont-d'Arc

1. Jérémy Roy (Fra), Française des Jeux, 204km in 4:58:47
2. Thomas Voeckler (Fra), Bbox Bouygues Telecom, same time
3. Tony Martin (Ger), Columbia-Highroad, s.t.
4. Heinrich Haussler (Ger), Cervélo TestTeam, at 2:32
5. Murilo Fischer (Bra), Liquigas, s.t.
6. Romain Feillu (Fra), Agritubel, s.t.
7. Cyril Lemoine (Fra), Skil-Shimano, s.t.
8. Jürgen Roelandts (Bel), Silence-Lotto, s.t.
9. Mirco Lorenzetto (Ita), Lampre-NGC, s.t.
10. Sébastien Hinault (Fra), Ag2r La Mondiale, s.t.

Check back soon for a complete stage report, full results and photos.

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