Paris - Nice 2023: Pedersen sprints to leader's jersey

fotobureau Cor VosMads Pedersen powers to victory in the streets of Fontainebleau. The Dane outsprints Olav Kooij to move into the overall race lead of Paris-Nice. Tadej Pogacar gains 6 seconds in the intermediate sprint and sits in second. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage 2023 Paris-Nice

1. Mads Pedersen (den)
2. Olav Kooij (nld) s.t.
3. Magnus Cort (den) s.t.
4. Daniel McLay (gbr) s.t.
5. Lionel Taminiaux (bel) s.t.
6. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.
7. Marijn van den Berg (nld) s.t.
8. Cees Bol (nld) s.t.
9. Alexis Renard (fra) s.t.
10. Arnaud Démare (fra) s.t.

GC after stage 2
1. Mads Pedersen (den)
2. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + 0.02
3. Tim Merlier (bel) + 0.04
4. Olav Kooij (nld) + 0.08
5. Sam Bennett (irl) s.t.
6. Michael Matthews (aus) + 0.10
7. Magnus Cort (den) s.t.
8. Pierre Latour (FRa) s.t.
9. Dorian Godon (fra) + 0.12
10. Nathan Van Hooydonck (nld) s.t.
- GC riders + 0.14

Race report
Jonas Gregaard attacks early on and the 26 year old Dane - who was also in yesterday's breakaway - carves out a 5 minutes lead.

When the peloton splits in the crosswinds with 70 kilometres to go Gregaard lead falls below 1 minute, but in bounces back to when the peloton regroups. It's a matter of time though and he is caught 54 kilometres before the line.

Pogacar gains a bonus of 6 seconds in the intermediate sprint before a chaotic finale comes down to a sprint. Kooij and Pedersen battle it out and the Dane takes the spoils. He also moves into the lader's jersey, 2 seconds ahead of Pogacar.

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2023 Paris-Nice.