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Something to Prove PN17-35
The defending champion of Paris Nice had something to prove on the way to the highest summit ever in the Race to the Sun. Richie Porte (BMC) had lost big chunks of time in the early stages of the race, so he had some honor to regain against those he left behind near the top of the Col de la Couillole. He looks back over his shoulder and can see that Alberto Contado (Trek-Segafredo), Sergio Henao (Sky), Dan Martin (Quickstep) and Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) had all fanned out across the road. None of them were willing to do the chase and drag the others back up to the front of the race. For the record, Porte did prove that he had the legs to climb, and took the Queen's stage of the 75th Paris Nice. But behind was the race for the Maillot Jaune.