Make way for the punchers on Paris-Nice.
After a first arrival at the summit this Wednesday, at Mont Brouilly, the runners will set off this Thursday from Ardèche for a rugged stage of 193.5 km.
They will reach the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the town of Sisteron after having climbed four listed climbs, all classified in third category.
The last will be the Col de la Pigière (2.7 km at 4.5%), the summit of which is 48 km from the finish.
This Wednesday, Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious) won at the summit of Mont Brouilly, ahead of Luke Plapp (Jayco-AlUla).
The Australian, however, took the yellow jersey, which until then had been on the shoulders of Brandon McNulty (UAE-Emirates).
The big battle between the favorites has not yet started, however.
Despite a small acceleration in the last hectometers, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) did not manage to open up a real gap compared to its competitors.
The fifth stage of Paris-Nice 2024 will be followed this Thursday March 7 from 3:10 p.m. on France 3, and 3:45 p.m. on Eurosport 2.