Paris-Nice stage 1 - Live Coverage

Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 1 of the 2023 Paris-Nice.

For traditional cycling fans, Paris-Nice is to stage races what Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is to the classics - the real start of the season. The racing across all corners of the world over the past couple of months has been fun, but now we’re back in the sports heartlands, and with a quality roster to ensure some serious, competitive racing.

Two names in particular standout from the start list, and have dominated all of the pre-race coverage: Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. This will be their first showdown of 2023 in the build-up to their main goal of the Tour de France, and the renewal of what’s promising to be a great rivalry. Throughout the first few years of his career, Pogačar won with apparent ease and without much competition, but Vingegaard proved himself to be a worthy adversary by defeating him at the Tour de France last year. This Paris-Nice will be a fascinating insight to see who has the edge at this early phase of the season.

Both Pogačar and Vingegaard are likely to take a back seat during today’s opening stage, however, which looks set to be one for the puncheurs rather than the GC contenders. There are plenty of hills during the day to make life difficult for sprinters wanting a large bunch finish, but probably not difficult enough to encourage attacks from the GC men (although when it comes to a rider like Pogačar, you can never quite be sure).

We’re awaiting the official start, with the riders poised to set off from La Verrière.

In terms of favourites for today’s stage, riders who could win either from a small group sprint or a punchy attack have the advantage. Based on how he’s started the season, many eyes will be on Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny).

169.4KM REMAINING

And they're off - the 2023 Paris-Nice is officially underway.

Paris-Nice is of course known as The Race to the Sun, and the riders appear to be being denied sunshine for now. It looks cloudy up in the sky, and judging from all the leg-warmers and arm-warmers on display, it must be pretty nippy too.

Crucially, though, there’s no sign yet of any significant wind. Crosswinds have been known to wreak havoc in the opening stages of Paris-Nice, and turn the GC race on its head even before a mountain has been climbed.

No sign of any attacks out of the peloton yet. 

160KM REMAINING

Still no attacks, and the pace is slow too. Clearly nobody fancies what will be a long day in the saddle out in front. 

150KM REMAINING

As the riders take on a small unclassified climb, two riders are now up the road: Paul Ourselin (TotalEnergies) and Jonas Gregaard (Uno-X)

It appears that this will be the break of the day, as they've been allowed a lead of 2-30 already. 

Although you might have thought the hilly terrain could attract some high-profile puncheurs to try to get into the break with genuine hope of making it to the finish, Ourselin and Gregaard are here more for TV exposure for their respective teams TotalEnergies and Uno-X. The fact there’s only two of them make survival even less likely.

140KM REMAINING

The gap is now up to 3-30. It seems Ourselin and Gregaard will indeed be the day's break. 

While we wait for some action, let’s look at yesterday’s press conference and what Pogačar and Vingegaard had to say about each other.

“I’m excited, it’s always nice to race against Tadej. He’s always very strong so yeah it will be a nice week”

“It was very nice to win three stages out of three in the Gran Camino. My training went well before and my shape was good. I think I’m ready for this race and ready for the best and fighting for victory”

[In terms of the course] “There’s almost everything. The first stage will be about crosswinds, then we have the team time trial, and then a climbing stage at the start. Basically there’s a bit of everything and I can’t say there is one stage that stands out as the most important one”. 

“The team time trial, for sure it’s important, we have to discuss it because the rules are different, we might have to use different tactics. We have to see about it.”

“For sure Jonas is in great shape but I’m also in good shape, it’s going to be fun, it’s going to full on until the line and it’s not going to be easy,” 

“I don’t plan ever to win a stage, I just plan to go good in each stage but it’s not like Andalucia when every stage was super hard. It would be nice to win all the stages but no, unfortunately no.” 

“More or less all the teams will race a similar time trial as a normal team time trial as you’re faster with more guys around you anyway. But I won’t tell you how we’re going to race. You will see on stage 3.”

“I don’t really know any of the climbs except for the last stage. I really know the last stage. It’s like my home stage. And I have an idea about the penultimate stage but I don’t know any of the climbs before that. We have Google Earth and the radios. A climb is a climb anyway, you have to push good power.”

Also, make sure to read Philippa York’s preview of the race, contemplating the expected Pogačar versus Vingegaard, and the nasty weather Paris-Nice is notorious for.

The gap is still reported as being around 3-30. 

Much is made of the bad weather here at Paris-Nice, but, although uncomfortably cold, there's nothing too serious to worry about today. The crosswinds Vingegaard talked about don't appear to be forthcoming. 

115KM REMAINING

The day’s first classified climb, the Côte de Milon-la-Chapelle, is approaching a few kilometres away. This will be a good taster before the riders face it again 20km from the finish.

For the first time today the gap between the break and the peloton has been coming down, and is not below three minutes.

So who should we be looking out for to compete for the stage win today? There are plenty of quality sprinters present, including Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep), Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ), but they may find the climbing too tough.

Other fast finishers who will fancy their chances of staying in contention over the climbs are Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla), riding in Europe for the first time this season; Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo), who was second behind De Lie in the opening stage of Etoile de Bessèges before going on to win the time trial; and Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost), who has started the season on absolute fire with back-to-back stage wins at Volta ao Algarve.

The riders have climbed the Côte de Milon-la-Chapelle, with Ourselin taking maximum points in the King of the Mountains classification ahead of Jonas Gregaard.

100KM REMAINING

With 100km to go, the break is being tightly controlled, the gap now down to near two minutes. 

Now the riders have climbed Côte de Milon-la-Chapelle for the first time, some may have hatched plans for attacking on their return later in the day. 

It’s only a few hundred metres long but significantly steep, so one for the puncheurs. Kasper Asgreen (Soudal-QuickStep) will be dying to make a good impression, after bad luck once again foiled him in the finale of Le Samyn last week, where he crashed. 

Tim Wellens also looks well suited to the climb, and was on great form during Opening Weekend - although he’d need to be given the go-ahead to be relieved of domestique duties for Pogačar.

90KM REMAINING

Having fallen steadily for a while the gap has gone back up a little, to 2-20. Still, it'd take a brave soul to bet on their making it to the finish.

These are the kind of open roads that could have been devastating should the wind have blown, but we haven't been treated to the spectacle of crosswind racing today. 

The riders have passed over the finish line for the first time today, and the gap remains at just over two minutes. 

80KM REMAINING

The pace is up in the peloton and the gap is coming down. Leaders now have about 1-40.

Lotto-Dstny are signalling their intent for Arnaud De Lie. They’re currently riding at the front of the peloton, which is now strung out.

Also accompanying Lotto-Dstny at the front of the peloton are Alpecin-Deceuninck. It could be that they fancy Kaden Groves’ chances of surviving the climbs and competing for a sprint. 

The Belgian team are badly in need of a victory, as the only team still in the World Tour still winless in 2023.

70KM REMAINING

Everything's still pretty relaxed out there, with the gap holding steady at 1-50. 

The third team contributing to the pace-setting is Soudal-QuickStep. They have Tim Merlier, who would probably be the favourite in the event of a bunch sprint - although based on how the sprints have gone so far this season, multiple riders would be in contention.

Back from the injury sustained at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Tim Declercq is back doing what he does best: pulling at the front of the peloton.

60KM REMAINING

It’s not really a question of if, but when, the peloton catches the break. The gap’s now down to 1-30, but if Soudal-QuickStep, Alpecin-Deceuninck and Lotto-Dstny are riding for a bunch sprint, then they may not want to make the catch too early, in order not to encourage attacks on the forthcoming climbs.

Here are Paul Ourselin and Jonas Gregaard out in front, getting their kit and sponsors caught on camera. 

50KM REMAINING

Their lead is now down to under one minute, with 50km left to ride.

Still a relaxed atmosphere in the peloton, as a smiling Bora-Hansgrohe rider shares a few words with a couple of riders. How long until things get serious during this bumpy finale?

It may be that the peloton are worried about making the catch too early, as the pace has slowed and the gap is back up to just over one minute.

40KM REMAINING

Now things are picking up in the peloton. The GC teams have moved to the front, among them Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates

Inevitably the deficit is now tumbling, already now only 30 seconds.

Jumbo-Visma, UAE Team Emirates and Soudal-QuickStep each have their own long train at the front of the peloton. Bora-Hansgrohe and Arkéa–Samsic are also towards the front. 

There's still 15km to ride until the second ascent of Côte de Milon-la-Chapelle, but there are other unclassified lumps on the way that could make things interesting.

For the first time since they went away a few hours ago, the leading duo are now within sight of the peloton. 

A problem for Stan Dewulf towards the back of the peloton. There was a bit of a slow-down around him, but nobody seems to have hit the deck.

The unclassified rise has been finished, with no attacks from the peloton. 

30KM REMAINING

The catch has been made, and the race is all back together. 

Lots of vying for control at the front of the peloton. Ineos Grenaiders and EF Education-EasyPost are involved.

Lots of strained looking faces at the front of the peloton. The terrain might be straightfoward, but the riders are taking it seriously. 

And now there's been a crash, about half a dozen have been held up.

Thibault Guernalec (Arkéa Samsic) is still on the floor receiving treatment. No top favourites appear to have been involved. 

Back in the peloton, Jumbo-Visma are on the right-hand side of the road, UAE Team Emirates on the left, with the climb just a few kilometres away.

They're on the climb, being lead by Ineos

Attack from Neilson Powless!

Pogačar is on Powless' wheel.

And now Pogačar attacks!

Pogačar knocked the pace off a little as he and Powless went over the top, and they didn't get a gap over the peloton - but there are splits

20KM REMAINING

Attacks now flying off the front of the peloton now the climb has been crested.

Those attacks have been neutralised, but there's a significant split in the peloton following that climb. 

There must be at least 30 riders in this leading peloton. Will they decide to push on?

Incidentally, Powless took the maximum points on the climb, followed by Pogacar and then...Arnaud Demare. The Groupama-FDJ rider evidentally climbing well.

Jayco-AlUla is leading the chase in the second group. Does that imply Simon Yates is there?

The gap between the groups is just 10 seconds, so everything could yet come back together. 

16KM REMAINING

Another attack from Powless out of the leading group. 

The two pelotons have come back together again. There wasn't enough interest in the leading one to organise and stay clear from the other.

Powless is stil out there though, and has a lead of 16 seconds with 14km remaining. 

Powless is fully committed, and has grown his lead to 20 seconds. The peloton aren't hanging about either, however, with lots of teams at the front in anticipation of the next unclassified climb.

This upcoming climb will be especially interesting, as there's an intemediate sprint at the top of it with 6 bonus seconds on offer. Perhaps Powless is targetting those bonuses?

10KM REMAINING

Powless is struggling to hold his lead. Down to 15 seconds now.

Puncture for Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X). He'd have been a real candidate from a sprint, especially if the upcoming climb reduces the bunch.

7KM REMAINING

Powless is about to be caught as the road tilts upwards.

Jumbo-Visma are leading the peloton on the climb.

UAE Team Emirates now take over. Surely Pogačar is eyeing up those bonus seconds, especially with his quick kick.

And Pogačar wins the sprint and gains all 6 seconds.

Pogačar's puching on too! Vingegaard is on his wheel, as is one other rider: Pierre Latour.

Jan Tratnik tried to sprint for Jumbo-Visma, but could do nothing to stop Pogačar.

5KM REMAINING

Really interesting situation now as Pogačar, Vingegaard and Latour push on hard to try and hold off the Soudal-QuickStep led bunch

4KM REMAINING

....but now Pogačar and Vingegaard have called it quits. The bunch is too well organised. 

Latour is still out there, but looks very unlikely to survive. Soudal-QuickStep are flying at the front

2.5km to go, Latour has 5 seconds. Looks like it's going to be a bunch sprint, from a big peloton too.

2KM REMAINING

Latour is caught. A sprint finish is on the cards.

Bora-Hansgrohe and Lotto-Dstny now rivalling Soudal-QuickStep at the front. But the Belgian team still lead.

1KM REMAINING

Lotto now taking over

Senechal now leads for QuickStep...and Senechal has a few bikelengths

Senechal leads onthe finishing straight...

But Bora have caught him and now there's a sprint...

Tim Merlier wins the sprint!

Merlier emerged from the wheel of Olav Kooij to take victory.

Sam Bennett was second, and Mads Pedersen third. 

Merlier let the wheel of Florian Sénéchal go in the finale that gave his teammate a shot at victory. But Merler also stuck in the wheels of the Bora-Hansgrohe riders who dragged back Sénéchal, and came around them to sprint for victory.

Here's the top ten in full:

1 Tim Merlier

2 Sam Bennett

3 Mads Pedersen

4 Olav Kooij

5 Arnaud De Lie

6 Michael Matthews

7 Bryan Coquard

8 Ivan Garcia

9 Kaden Groves

10 Arnaud Demare

That feels like a much needed win for Soudal-QuickStep, who have struggled so much in the first of the spring classics.

Soudal-QuickStep might have been struggling, but Merlier certainly isn't. That's his fourth win of the season, following successes at the UAE Tour and the Tour of Oman. That puts him ahead of all the other spriters in terms of 2023 wins.

Merlier will also become the first overall leader of the race, just as he did at the Tour of Oman and the UAE Tour. 

But the real news in the GC race is the six seconds Tadej Pogačar already has over all of his GC rivals following his success at the intermediate sprint. He's third on GC.

Merlier really is a specialist of winning the first sprint of a stage race. Not only has he done so in all three of his appearences so far this year, it's also been the case in two of his three Grand Tour rides to date. 

Thanks for joining us today, in what turned out to be an exciting finale after a sleepy beginning. Tomorrow is another likely bunch sprint, although the roads are very exposed, meaning crosswinds could have a big effect if the weather is different. Based on today, Merlier will be the man to beat.

Check out our full report of stage one here