Today was the start of the prestigious French race, Paris-Nice. It kicked off with a 2.9 km short but technically difficult prologue.
The time difference between the fastest ten riders was because of distance minimal, but it was Damien Gaudin, who was fastest, and he did the route one second faster than Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma Quick Step) and Lieuwe Westra (VCD).
Saxo- Tinkoff’s sports director Dan Frost commented, “We have no definite time trial specialists, but the boys deliver very stable work, and all running at full RPM. Nicki runs surprisingly strong and ended only 8 seconds from the jersey, so he is obviously both in good shape as captain of the route. But it is not the day you win or lose the race. The key stages are the fifth and seventh stages. Nico Roche is our best bet for the overall standings, and therefore supported through the next stages. Tomorrow I predict a sprinter; Argos-Shimano will probably insist on keeping it all together in the finals, “
