Henao takes overall lead

NICE: Team Sky came close to winning a fifth Paris-Nice title in six years when Sergio Henao claimed the overall lead on Saturday, with the Colombian hoping to dedicate a victory to under-fire team principal Dave Brailsford.

Henao, who finished fourth in the seventh stage won by Australian Richie Porte, leads Ireland’s Dan Martin by 30 seconds and Spaniard Alberto Contador by 31 seconds going into late yesterday’s final stage, a 115.5-km ride featuring two category-one ascents.

Porte (BMC) salvaged his Paris-Nice campaign with the win after he dropped out of contention in the second stage.

“I’m really happy with the team and with Dave Brailsford. We’re all with Dave. Dave is going through some tough moments,” Henao said. “As a rider, I’ve been through extremely tough moments, so I really hope to stay in yellow tomorrow and to dedicate the victory to Sky and to Dave.”

Brailsford has come under fire for failing to prove what was in a medical package ordered by a team doctor and delivered to Bradley Wiggins at the 2011 Criterium du Dauphine.

Team Sky and British Cycling have both been subject of an investigation by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) into allegations of wrongdoing in the sport. Both have denied any doping violations.