Jorg Jaksche (CSC) has taken the early lead in Paris-Nice. The German won Stage 1, a 13.2-km time trial from Chaville to Issy-les-Moulineaux, in 17:19. Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) pipped Erik Dekker (Rabobank) for second at 0:04.

Rebellin set the early standard with a 17:23. For an hour and an half, his time looked like a winner. Excellent time trialists such as David Millar (Cofidis), Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank), Santiago Botero (T Mobile), and Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) took their best shots but could not match the Italian's time. Only Jaksche, the third-to-last starter, eclipsed Rebellin.

The day was a good one for CSC. The Danish squad put Jaksche (first), Bobby Julich (seventh), and Jens Voigt (ninth) in the top ten, thereby giving themselves many cards to play in the coming days.

In the overall, Jaksche leads Rebellin and Dekker by 0:04. Stage 2 might not change this state of affairs. The 166.5-km run from Chaville to Montargis is flat, and a sprinter should win it. Which one will it be? Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole)? Robbie McEwen (Lotto)? Check in at http://www.roadcycling.com/ and find out!