The queen stage of the 2013 Paris-Nice, the fifth stage included the only summit finish of the race, finishing above sea level at La Montagne de Lure after a near- climb at an average gradient of 6.6% and reaching 8.5% in places. The climb itself was the last of six categorised climbs during the stage, although the other climbs en route - mainly second- and third-category climbs compared to the first-category finishing climb - were less steep and challenging to the field as a whole. Also as part of the parcours were two intermediate sprint points at Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt and Forcalquier. La Montagne de Lure, described as the little sister of Mont Ventoux, had previously featured in the race in 2009, when Alberto Contador soloed to victory during that year's sixth stage, beating closest rivals Fränk Schleck and Luis León Sánchez by almost a minute, and taking the race lead in the process.