Alexey Lutsenko powers to solo win on stage five

The 23-year-old Kazakhstani rider's win leaves him in second place overall, six seconds behind Australian Michael Matthews.

Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) was second 21 seconds ardift with Matthews coming home in third.

"This is my second victory in WorldTour race and I think it is a very good way to start the season. I want to dedicate today's win to my family, who make many sacrifices when I’m away from hom for long periods.

"Tomorrow we will race in Nice, that is my home here in France, I’m so proud about today's performance and now I’m second on the GC, just 6 seconds from the yellow jersey: let’s see how the race will develop in the last two stages."

1. Alexey LUTSENKO, ASTANA PRO TEAM, in 5:00:26

2. Alexander KRISTOFF, TEAM KATUSHA, at :21

3. Michael MATTHEWS, ORICA – GreenEDGE, at :21

4. Davide CIMOLAI, LAMPRE – MERIDA, at :21

5. Sep VANMARCKE, TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO, at :21

6. Pieter SERRY, ETIXX – QUICK STEP, at :21

7. Vicente REYNES MIMO, IAM CYCLING, at :21

8. Leonardo Fabio DUQUE, DELKO MARSEILLE PROVENCE KTM, at :21

9. Oliver NAESEN, IAM CYCLING, at :21

10. Arnold JEANNESSON, COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at :21

1. Michael MATTHEWS, ORICA – GreenEDGE, in 19:24:58

2. Alexey LUTSENKO, ASTANA PRO TEAM, at :06

3. Tom DUMOULIN, TEAM GIANT – ALPECIN, at :18

4. Patrick BEVIN, CANNONDALE PRO CYCLING TEAM, at :23

5. Jon IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, MOVISTAR TEAM, at :23

6. Geraint THOMAS, TEAM SKY, at :23

7. Lieuwe WESTRA, ASTANA PRO TEAM, at :28

8. Dries DEVENYNS, IAM CYCLING, at :29

9. Rafal MAJKA, TINKOFF, at :31

10. Richie PORTE, BMC RACING TEAM, at :31