Geraint Thomas boosted his Paris-Nice victory hopes by snatching a few more seconds from his main rivals on stage two.

The Cardiff-born flier finished the longest stage of the eight-day race – 132.6 miles – in the first main bunch on Tuesday.

Thomas stayed fifth overall now 15 seconds down on overnight leader Michael Matthews of Australia.

But more importantly he took another four seconds out of Spanish threat Alberto Contador and ex-Team Sky team-mate and defending champ Richie Porte.

Porte’s fellow Aussie Matthews was handed his second stage win of the race after a controversial climax in Commentry.

The Orica Green-Edge rider crossed the line second but race marshals ruled that rival Nacer Bouhani has blocked his path in the bruising sprint finish.

The duo had nearly hit the barriers as they battled for the stage honours and Bouhani was furious when he was demoted to third.

But that gave Matthews a 10-seconds time bonus though Thomas will be looking to make his mark in Wednesday’s first summit finish at Mont Brouilly.
endig