The 72nd edition of Paris-Nice has finished. The race ended with a final stage from Nice to Nice. A select group battled for victory. Tony Gallopin was one of them, but unfortunately he was involved in a crash at 300 meters from the finish line.

 

Because the crash took place within the last three kilometers, it didn't have any consequences for GC. Luckily Tony Gallopin doesn't have any severe physical consequences of his crash either.

 

Gallopin finished Paris-Nice as tenth, at 41" of winner Carlos Betancur. The stage win today was for the French champion Arthur Vichot.

 

Pim Ligthart goes home with the polka dot jersey, as overall winner of the mountain classification. Yesterday he picked up many points as member of a long breakaway.

 

"After the Three Grand Tours Paris-Nice is one of the most important stage races," sports director Mario Aerts said. "That Pim Ligthart wins the mountain classification is a nice performance. He didn't get it for free, he had to ride for it. That polka dot jersey only became a goal yesterday, when Pim was part of the break.

 

"Unfortunately Tony Gallopin crashed in the last metres of Paris-Nice. He was positioned in the wheel of Rojas, who became second today. With a place in top three Tony could have picked up bonification seconds and that way he could have moved up in the overall classification.

 

"Top ten was the goal, we just made it. But more was possible. On Friday Tony lost 13" and that's a pity because the differences are small. Fortunately he doesn't have any severe consequences of the crash.

 

"The entire team has worked well the past week. Jelle Vanendert showed himself again. On the climbs he could follow for a long time on several occasions. After yesterday we stood second in the team classification, we eventually finished sixth. But that was of minor importance, generally the team has had a good week. Uphill we played a role."