Less than a minute separates BMC’s Tejay van Garderen from leader Richie Porte (Sky) going into today’s final 9.6 km individual time trial at the Paris-Nice stage race, but the young American has no illusions about overtaking the Australian in the general classification.

Van Garderen said it will be a tough task to make up the 52 seconds he is behind Porte on the race against the clock up the Col d’Èze, "The podium is still within reach, but to bring back a minute on Porte in only a 20-minute effort, especially with the way he's riding – is not possible," van Garderen said. "All I can do is my best. I'll go out there and focus on myself. If it turns out to be a victory that would be great."