Paris-Nice 2021: Sprint triumph Bol, Matthews new leader

fotobureau Cor VosParis-Nice travels south in the 2nd stage. Cees Bol powers to victory ahead of Mads Pedersen and Michael Matthews. The Australian moves into the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage Paris-Nice 2021

1. Cees Bol (nld)
2. Mads Pedersen (den) s.t.
3. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.
4. Brian Coquard (fra) s.t.
5. Sam Bennett (irl) s.t.
6. John Degenkolb (ger) s.t.
7. Pascal Ackermann (ger) s.t.
8. Phil Bauhaus (ger) s.t.
9. Jasper Philipsen (bel) s.t.
10. Rudy Barbier (fra) s.t.

GC after stage 2
1. Michael Matthews (aus)
2. Mads Pedersen (den) + 0.04
3. Sam Bennett (irl) s.t.
4. Cees Bol (nld) s.t.
5. Arnaud Démare (fra) + 0.08
6. André Greipel (ger) + 0.11
7. Tiesj Benoot (bel) + 0.12
8. Florian Vermeersch (bel) s.t.
9. Jasper Stuyven (bel) + 0.13
10. Ben Swift (gbr) s.t.

Race report
Sander Armee and Dries de Bondt join forces at kilometre 16. The Belgians carve out a lead of 4 minutes before the peloton takes the reins.

The peloton brings the attackers back before the first bonus sprint. Michael Matthews gains 3 seconds in the first sprint and 2 seconds in the second.

After two phases with echelons the pack remains bunched in the last 50 kilometres.

In a hectic finale with lots of twisting and turning Cees Bol outpaces Mads Pedersen and Michael Matthews. With the collection of 5 intermediate bonus seconds and 4 on the line he moves into the yellow jersey.

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage Paris-Nice 2021.