Updates from France throughout the 74th edition of the Paris-Nice cycling stage race; the second race of the 2016 UCI WorldTour.
Shimano WorldTour Team Start List:
BMC Racing Team: Richie Porte, Marcus Burghardt, Philippe Gilbert, Ben Hermans, Amael Moinard, Michael Schar, Peter Velits, Danilo Wyss
FDJ: Arthur Vichot, Arnaud Courteille, Mickael Delage, Arnaud Demare, Odd Christian Eikin, Daniel Hoelgaard, Ignatas Konovalovas, Kevin Reza
Orica-GreenEdge: Michael Matthews, Michael Albasini, Sam Bewley, Mitchell Docker, Daryl Impey, Magnus Cort, Amets Txurruka, Simon Gates.
Team Giant-Alpecin: Tom Dumoulin, Roy Curvers, Koen de Kort, Simon Geschke, Ji Cheng, Tobias Ludvigsson, Georg Preidlr, Laurens ten Dam
Team LottoNL-Jumbo: Wilco Kelderman, George Bennett, Victor Campenaerts, Steven Kruijswijk, Paul Martens, Bram Tankink, Jos van Emden, Sep Vanmarcke
Team Sky: Geraint Thomas, Ian Boswell, Sergio Luis Henao Montoya, Mikel Nieve Ituralde, Nicholas Roche, Luke Row, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift
Trek-Segafredo: Frank Schleck, Fumiyuki Beppu, Niccolo Bonifazio, Laurent Didier, Fabio Felline, Gregory Rast, Edward Theuns, Boy van Poppel
Prologue: Conflans-Sainte-Honorine ITT - 6.1km
Sunday, March 6, 2016
In his first race of the World Tour season, Michael Matthews of Orica-GreenEdge earned a victory in the 6.1km prologue, defeating time trial specialist Tom Dumoulin of Giant-Alpecin by just one second.
Stage 1: Condé-sur-Vesgre to Vendôme - 195km
Monday, March 7, 2016
An exciting sprint finish through a cold, wet and windy Stage 1 of Paris-Nice ended with Arnaud Demare of FDJ finishing on top of the podium. Another strong performance by Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge), finishing in fifth keeps Matthews in the leaders jersey for another day.
Stage 2: Contres to Commentry, 214km
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Stage 2 of Paris-Nice ended with fiery sprint between Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge), Nacer Bouhanni of Cofidis, and Niccolo Bonifazio of Trek-Segafredo. Although Bouhanni crossed the finish line first, a jury eventually ruled the stage victory to Matthews with Bonifazio earning second place. Bouhanni was disqualified after deviating from his line in the sprint (video here). Matthews demostrated some amazing bike handling skills to finish the race strong, while also becoming just the third Australian rider to win two stages at a single edition of Paris-Nice.
Stage 3: CANCELED - Cusset - Mont Brouilly, 165.km
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Stage 3 of Paris-Nice was canceled mid-race due to snow and cold weather conditions unsafe for riders. The race will resume with Stage 4 tomorrow, March 10th, 2016 for the 195.5km race from Julienas to Romans-sur-Isere.
Stage 4: Julienas to Romans-sur-Isere - 193.5km
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Race leader Michael Matthews finished Stage 4 in fifth place, after what he called a very tiring day of Stage 3. Edward Theuns of Trek-Segafredo finished in second place behind Nacer Bouhanni of Cofidis. After the fourth day of racing, Matthews maintains a 11 point lead over race-rival Bouhanni.
Stage 5: Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux to Salon-de-Provence, 198km
Friday, March 11, 2016
After his third place finish in tough, hilly Stage 5 Michael Matthews keeps the yellow jersey for another day. Matthews has led the General Classification after every stage of Paris-Nice and also leds the points classification, earning him the green jersey. Tom Dumoulin of Giant-Alpecin moves into third place of the GC.
Stage 6: Nice to La Madone d'Utelle - 177km
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Stage 6 saw a new face wearing the yellow jersey, with Geraint Thomas of Team Sky taking the General Classification lead after a second place finish. Richie Porte of BMC Racing Team finished just off the podium in fourth place.
Stage 7: Nice to Nice - 141km
Sunday, March 13, 2016
A comeback performance by Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) on the final day of racing in France that featured a total of six climbs earned Thomas the Final General Classification victory just 4 seconds ahead of Alberto Contador of Tinkoff. The victory was Team Sky's fourth title in five years. Richie Porte's (BMC Racing) consistency secured him a third place podium finish in the General Classification.
Geraint Thomas wins Paris-Nice!
