An untimely puncture on the descent from the last climb in yesterday put an end to Michele Scarponi's (Lampre-Merida) GC ambitions. He lost 8.40 to leader Richie Porte (Team Sky) and is now 33rd in GC.

Lampre entered this year's Paris-Nice with a two-pronged attack with Italian veteran Michele Scarponi and young talent Diego Ulissi. Both had shown good form in GP Camaiore just prior to the French stage race, and the Italian team was confident in their double shot at success.

Both riders did well to survive the opening windy stages, were careful on the descent in stage 3 and were some of the strongest riders in the mountain stage to Montagne de Lure. As a consequence they both entered yesterday's stage in the overall top 10.

Scarponi was, however, unlucky as a puncture put an end to his dream of a top result. Just as BMC put the hammer down on the descent from the day's final climb with 30 km remaining, the winner of the 2011 Giro d'Italia punctured. Teammate Manuele Mori gave him a wheel, and Kristijan Durasek and Mattia Cattaneo did all they could to bring back their captain.

It was, however, impossible, and Scarponi ended up in the second group 8.40 behind stage winner Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step). He is now 33rd and trails leader Richie Porte by 9.34.

Lampre will now put all their hopes into young Ulissi who enters today's decisive time trial up Col d'Eze 54 seconds behind in 9th place.