Wiggins struggles to make in-roads on leading riders

Degenkolb was one of the favourites for the stage given both his sprinting and climbing ability and he marshalled his Argos-Shimano lead-out train to the front.

It appeared to be a sprint between Elia Viviani (Cannondale), Angel Vicioso (Katusha) and Degenkolb. However, with the peloton ready for a sprint, one of Degenkolb’s fellow Argos-Shimano lead-out riders Luka Mezgec skidded into the barriers on a late corner in the wet conditions, taking out a number of racers and holding others up.

The German sprinted for home to win in four hours 37 minutes 48 seconds ahead of Vicioso and Paul Martens (Team Blanco).

The breakaway riders and the peloton were awarded the same time by organisers as Degenkolb as Luca Paolini (Katusha) retained overall lead in the race.

That sees Wiggins stay sixth overall and his team-mate Rigoberto Uran 17 seconds behind leader Paolini.

However, that was not good news for Omega Pharma Quick-Step rider Mark Cavendish as he was not part of the main group, and he finished in 127th.

Australian Richie Porte has signed a contract extension with Team Sky.

Porte was a key member of the squad which helped Bradley Wiggins to his historic Tour de France triumph in 2012 and will ride in support of Chris Froome and Wiggins this summer.

But the 28-year-old also has his personal targets, ones he hopes to achieve during his new deal – the details of which have not been disclosed.

Porte, who won Paris-Nice in March, said: “With this new contract comes an added responsibility, and while I’m more than happy to help guys like Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins in the future, I’d love to lead the squad in a Grand Tour next season.”

Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: “Richie has been a key part this team’s stage race success since he arrived here and this new contract is a statement of intent for both him and the team.

“Every time he has taken on a leadership role he has excelled. We saw at Paris-Nice exactly what Richie is capable of and there is no doubt that there is a lot more to come from him.

“If he maintains his current trajectory, there is no reason why he can’t go into a Grand Tour and challenge for victory.”

Jon Norfolk has been appointed British Cycling’s para-cycling lead head coach.

Norfolk, the assistant national sprint coach for the British team, will succeed Chris Furber next month.

British para-cycling team performance manager Gareth Sheppard said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Jon on board.”