Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) took his third win of the season, but it came on a day when he was feeling so tired that he nearly fell off the bike before the start of the Paris-Nice stage 5.

After starting the season with a win at the Trofeo Calvià, followed by a victory at the Von Ardèche Classic, McNulty became the team's GC leader in Paris-Nice. However, on stage 2, Quick-Step Alfa Vinyl was hit by a crosswind and lost 1:29 to the lead group. The third stage was even worse, with McNulty falling on the Côte de le Perru, losing 11 minutes and 15 seconds.

So it was a big surprise for the Arizona native to rally and win the first World Tour stage of his young career.

"It's unbelievable. I still can't really feel it, but I'm very happy. It's my first win on the World Tour, but I've been out of shape since I fell on a crosswind day," McNulty said.

"I was wondering if I should keep riding or reset.

The stage from Saint-Just-Saint-Lambert to Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut took him on the same road as his victory in Ardèche last month and probably gave him inspiration to attack.

"We rode the same climb. I stayed home for a bit and it was a great memory."

McNulty joined an early breakaway with nine other riders, including fellow American Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar), but after losing a lot of time, he never threatened Primoz Roglic's (Jumbo Visma) lead. When McNulty attacked on the Col de la Mouret with 40km to go, the breakaway was more than 6 minutes ahead of the chasing pack.

"Today's race was do or die, and I gave it everything I had. Once I got into the break I felt really good all day. On the second last climb, I was told over the radio, "This is the place to be, so if you have the legs, go long." I gave it my all," McNulty said.

By the finish, McNulty was less than two minutes ahead of his closest rivals - Jorgenson had been passed by Frank Bonamour (B&B Hotels).

"It was a good start with just two wins, but those were .1 and .Pro races.