We noted  the dominance of the peloton’s new generation of fast men during the three sprint stages, with many of their high-profile adversaries engaged instead at Tirreno-Adriatico. And it seems it is not just the sprinters keen to make their mark either, with all five stages now won by a rider young enough to qualify for the white jersey competition. John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) currently leads the classification, though it was Tom-Jelte Slagter, one second back, who wore the white jersey on stage five.

And now Carlos Betancur is just two seconds behind the Giant-Shimano sprinter, with Wilco Kelderman (Belkin), Jon Izaguirre (Movistar), Sebastien Reichenbach (IAM Cycling), Jungels and Tim Wellens (Lotto-Belisol) all within 30 seconds of the German too. Slagter, Degenkolb and Betancur are already known in the upper reaches of pro cycling, and Jungels and Kelderman are certainly taking full advantage of their Paris-Nice opportunity to make their mark too. The future looks very bright indeed.