Orica Green Edge's Michael Albasini won the fourth stage of Paris-Nice race.
A day of seven climbs on a 199.5km stage from Brioude to Saint-Vallier meant that this was going to be a tough day for the riders, who would also have a long transfer to the start of tomorrow's stage.
A group of seven riders in Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Gianni Meersman (Omega) and Johann Tschopp (I AM Cycling), Hubert Dupont (AG2R), Romain Sicard (Euskaltel), Michael Morkov (Saxo Bank) and Warren Barguil (AG2R) were out in front with 83kms gone on a sunny afternoon.
They were four minutes ahead before being pulled back to 1.30 with 50kms to go.
Thomas Voeckler took the first sprint of the day and the second but on the penultimate Col de Talencieux climb which had an 8.1% gradient, the peloton with race leader Andrew Talansky safely in it came upto within thirty seconds.
Voeckler took the points for that climb as he and Dupont started on the descent.
With fifteen kilometres to go, Voeckler and Dupont were swept up by a group of around 45 riders including Talansky.
The Cote de la Sizeranne provided the final climb of the day and Radio Shack, Lampre, Team Sky and BMC all had riders at the front on the climb.
Radio Shack's Maxine Montfort launched an attack but Sylvain Chavanel countered.with Lampre's Scarpoini and Nicholas Roche.
The Irishman, now riding for Team Saxo Tinkoff, attacked with 7.3kms to go but was soon caught.
BMC were back on the front at Saint Uze with five kilometres to go. Two kilometres later, and riders were waiting for riders to do their turn at the front.
Robert Gesink did attack as the riders passed under the flam rouge. He was caught and Orica Green Edge's Michael Albasini shot away with about 200ms to go to win in a time of 4.55.41 ahead of Iglinskiy and Velits.
Andrew Talansky continues to lead by three seconds from Grivko.