Paris-Nice 2015: Kristoff outsprints pack, Kwiatkowski still in lead

Stage 1 in Paris-Nice 2015 should be for the sprinters, and it is. After 196.5 kilometres in the saddle Alexander Kristoff shows his brilliant form once more and outsprints each and everyone. Michal Kwiatkowski is still in the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Paris – Nice 2015: Results stage 1

1. Alexander Kristoff (nor)
2. Nacer Bouhanni (fra) s.t.
3. Bryan Coquard (fra) s.t.
4. Heinrich Haussler (aus) s.t.
5. Giacomo Nizzolo (ita) s.t.
6. José Joaquin Rojas (spa) s.t.
7. Moreno Hofland (nld) s.t.
8. Niccolò Bonifazio (ita) s.t.
9. Ben Swift (gbr) s.t.
10. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.

GC after stage 1
1. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol)
2. Rohan Dennis (aus) s.t.
3. Tony Martin (ger) + 0.07
4. John Degenkolb (ger) + 0.09
5. Luis León Sánchez (spa) s.t.
6. Lars Boom (nld) s.t.
7. Michael Matthews(aus) + 0.10
8. Sylvain Chavanel (fra) s.t.
9. Tom Dumoulin (nled) s.t.
10. Geraint Thomas (aus) + 0.13

11. Tejay van Garderen (usa) + 0.14
12. Bradley Wiggins (gbr) + 0.15
13. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
14. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.16
27. Jean-Christophe Peraud (fra) + 0.21
30. Rui Costa (por) s.t.
40. Andrew Talansky (usa) + 0.25

Race Report
Right after the start the only climb of the day begins. Jonathan Hivert is the first to crest Côte de Bel Air, so he will wear the polka dot jersey tomorrow. While he is at it the Frenchman decides to go solo, but after giving it some thought Hivert changes his mind and he stops his efforts.

With 31 kilometres done, he is reeled in. Time for a re-start and now it’s Anthony Delaplace on the attack. He is accompanied by his compatriot Thomas Voeckler and the two of them race to a maximum gain of 6’10” minutes with 100 kilometres done. Then the gap shrinks and it lingers at 2 minutes fo a while.

With 22 kilometres left Tom Boonen hits the tarmac and grabs his shoulder. Bad news for the classics specialist.

In the final kilometres the break is swallowed by the pack. John Degenkolb can take the yellow jersey if he wins, but he is too eager. Alexander Kristoff sits in his wheel and when he takes no one can come near him. Brilliant win by the strongest sprinter this spring. Homeriders Bouhanni and Coquard are second and third.