Jaksche keeps his options open

After finishing 11th in today's important Mont Faron stage, Liberty Seguros' Jörg Jaksche kept his ambitions alive for the overall victory in Paris-Nice. The German is now in 5th overall on general classification, 45 seconds behind leader Bobby Julich. Jaksche rode well, but didn't quite have the same strength as he did in the previous two stages. In spite of this, he still hopes to attack in the final two legs before the race finishes on Sunday.

Liberty Seguros was one of the main players again today, sending Alberto Contador to the front to split the bunch on the last climb. Contador made the selection, with Jaksche and Voigt glued to his wheel, but the pure climbers were able to show their prowess on the climb with GHilberto Simoni ultimately winning the stage from Cadel Evans and David Moncoutié.

"Today I did not have the legs like I had in the last two stages and I could not do the race that I wanted, but there is nothing lost," said Jaksche. "I am fifth on the general classification and there are two stages to try something, though it is difficult after seeing what Julich has done."

"Jaksche has given everything, but the Mont Faron is a very explosive climb that favours the climbers," said Liberty's team manager Manolo Saiz. "We have raced to win and we could not, but the last two stages still offer us alternatives of victory. The race has not ended for us ".

Tomorrow's sixth stage between La Crau and Cannes contains six climbs, and has the perfect profile for attacks. The same goes for Sunday's closing stage, which has three first category climbs.

Paris-Nice Stage 5

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