After 181,5 km in the cold rain, the golden couple of Team Lampre-Merdia are still among the protagonists of Paris-Nice.

In the 6th stage of the French race (Vence-Nice, 181,5 km), Rui Costa was 3rd and Valls was 5th: no other team had two riders in the top 5 of this very demanding stage that was characterized by 6 climbs and was made even tougher by the rain.

Gallopin won the stage thanks to a solo attack with 30 km to go, while COsta and Valls were riding in the first chase group whose members were also Spilak, Fuglsang, Porte and Thomas.

The Team Sky riders crashed so in the group remained only Spilak (2nd), Rui Costa (3rd at 32″ to Gallopin), Fuglsang (4th) and Valls (5th, +35″).

Rui Costa is now 6th in the overall classification at 42 seconds from Gallopin and Valls is 8th at 1’01”.

" Being able to finish on the podium in a stage like today's is a great result,"  said Rui Costa. "The race was very tough and cold, almost unbearable, it was very difficult. There was a big fight, Rafael and I were determined and we did a good performance . "

Ruben Plaza did take the start due to the flu while Mario Costa didn't finish the stage.