Cycling: Henderson struggles in Paris-Nice hills

New Zealand cyclist Greg Henderson was brought back to earth with a thud on the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice race today.

Henderson, riding for Team Sky, finished the 191km hilly stage from Creches-sur-Saone to Belleville in 148th place, over 13 minutes down on stage winner Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), who clocked five hours 04 minutes and 20 seconds.

Henderson, who won Tuesday's second stage and finished sixth yesterday, plunged down the general classification from sixth to 124th, 13min 24sec down on overall leader Thomas De Gendt (Vacansoleil), whose 19hr 26min 46sec is 10sec clear of second-placed Voeckler.

Sky sports director Sean Yates said afterwards that the stage hadn't run to plan, but he was heartened to see his all-rounders remain in contention.

"As for Greg, it was a bloody hard day for him after his efforts in the past few stages and the constantly undulating route sapped all of his energy," Yates told the Team Sky website.

He said tomorrow's stage would be far harder than today's - "that's going to be a crunch day" - but there was still plenty for the team to work for in terms of the general classification.

- NZPA