Paris-Nice, known as ‘the race to the sun’ is the first major stage race on the European calendar, and regarded as one of the best stage races outside of the Grand Tours.
Although missing some of the big names from last year, including winner and subsequent Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, a quality field has been assembled and the racing promises to be very exciting.
Stage 1 is a 195km ride from Saint-German-en-Laye to Nemours and the flat course should allow for a bunch sprint provided the peloton doesn’t fracture in the high winds expected to be encountered.
Frenchman Damien Gaudin of Europcar starts the day in yellow after winning the 2.9km prologue in a time of 3’37”, holding just a 1 second advantage over compatriot Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and Dutchman Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil-DCM).
The last kilometre is downhill and will provide a fast, exciting finish.
The likes of Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano), Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) and Australia’s own Mark Renshaw (Blanco Pro Cycling) all expected to fight for the stage win, while Richie Porte will stalk the bunch as the wearer of the number one jersey for Team Sky.
Join us for comments and live updates!
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Glad to help! Four and half hours....ouch! I'm off to bed to dream of tail winds and steep descents.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
That's all from us here at The Roar. Join us tomorrow for Stage 2 from Vimory to Cérilly - 200 kilometres and another bunch sprint is expected. Thanks for your company.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Bouhanni struggles to put his yellow jersey on - think this might be a little new to him. If he maintains current form, he'll get used to it very quickly.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Viviani does indeed get third and Debbuschere is fourth. Glad that's cleared up!
Sean Lee
Expert
Thanks mate, good call. You've at least made part of my nightshift go faster. Only another four and a half hours to go. Cheers!
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
With the time bonus, Bouhanni will now be in the yellow jersey tomorrow.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Debusschere listed as 3rd on Eurosport's coverage with Viviani 4th - not sure that's right. We'll have to wait and see.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Jens Debbuschere of Lotto is 4th and Heinrich Haussler of IAM is 5th.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Nacer Bouhanni of FDJ wins Stage 1 of Paris-Nice. I was right, Alessandro Petacchi of Lampre is second, Elia Viviani of Cannondale finishes third. Mark Renshaw could have won that, but seemed to hesitate when a gap presented itself. He'll be very disappointed when he sees the replay of that one.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
What a finish! Bouhanni wins a fast sprint. Petacchi second. Viviani third. Just guesses at this stage.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Mark Renshaw looks very comfortable.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
ONE KILOMETRE TO GO. Orica Greenedge controlling the race from the front. Who's going to win? All I know for sure is this is going to be a very fast finish.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Or will Orica Greenedge try and set up Baden Cooke or Leigh Howard? They're definitely keen. Europcar and Cannondale also at the front.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
3 KILOMETRES TO GO. Omega Pharma-Quick Step coming up to the front now as well, Orica Greenedge are definitely interested today, will they be setting up MIchael Matthews for a win?
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
FIVE KILOMETRES TO GO. Strap yourself in for a very fast finish people! FDJ on the front making the pace for Bouhanni, Europcar and Blanco also prominent. Orica Greenedge starting to move up too. 45 seconds to the Boonen/Kittel group, forget them.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Me too! He's got some form, but I expect to see Rojas right on his wheel, knowing Mark is likely to go early and back himself in, as he was doing in the Tour Down Under.
Lee Rodgers
Expert
exciting this one! doesn;t look too windy but some havoc nonetheless
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
37 riders in the second group now, and Marcel Kittel is one of them. He's unlikely to be winning today's stage then, so that's him and Boonen out. The group is 35 seconds behind the peloton.
Sean Lee
Expert
Would love to see Renshaw snag a win!
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
TEN KILOMETRES TO GO. A bunch finish is guaranteed now. Marcel Kittel was the raging favourite before the race started, how much energy did he waste catching the peloton after his flat? Boonen has been dropped, so look to Nacer Bouhanni, Elia Viviani, Mark Renshaw and Marcel Kittel perhaps.