It was the longest stage of the 'race to the sun' today: 201.5 km between the walled city of Avignon and Digne-les-Bains. The weather was overcast but warmer than it has been, and Spanish rider Joaquin Rodriguez (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) had the best legs today to win the stage. Rodriguez, who won a stage in Paris-Nice three years ago, counter-attacked past Joost Posthuma (Rabobank) on the final climb, the Cat. 1 Col du Corobin, and soloed to the finish with 19 seconds to spare. Posthuma hung on for second ahead of Jérôme Pineau (Bouygues Telecom), who led the yellow jersey group home.
