J-P Nazon Wins Stage 1 of Paris Nice
Jean-Patrick Nazon (Ag2r) has won Stage 1 of Paris-Nice. The Frenchman took a bunch sprint to win the rolling, 186-km run from Cloyes-sur-le-Loir to Buzancais in 4:29:39. Sebastian Siedler (Milram) finished second, and Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) took third. David Millar (Saunier Duval) remains the overall leader.
Romain Feillu (Agritubel) ignited the early break. The silver medalist at last year?s Under 23 World Championship Road Race attacked, and Iban Velasco Murillo (Euskaltel), Christophe Laurent (Credit Agricole), and Herve Duclos-Lassalle (Cofidis) joined him. Initially, the peloton did not pursue the quartet, which built a 10:30 lead by 47 km.
Saunier Duval began chasing to protect race leader Millar. By 100 km, the escapees? lead had fallen to 8:20. Quick Step and Lampre went to the front, and reduced the fugitives? advantage to 5:00 at 140 km. With 15 km remaining, 1:55 separated bunch and break. Milram took over at the front.
Duclos-Lassalle launched an unsuccessful attack, and Feillu countered. The peloton reeled in the break in the last three km. Quick Step led out Boonen, but the Belgian lost ground on a 180-degree turn in the last km. With 200 m to go, Nazon made his move.
In the overall, Millar leads Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) by 0:01 and Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d?Epargne) by 0:02. Stage 2 will be a rolling, 177-km run from Vatan to
