Welcome to Cyclingnews for our continued live coverage of Paris-Nice,
An update on the race so far:
122km remaining from 184km
The four man breakaway now has 5'00 lead on the Fassa Bortolo led peloton. Illes
125km remaining from 184km
The four leaders have been pegged back to 4'45. Jalabert is the virtual leader
131km remaining from 184km
Cyclingnews spoke to Jens Voigt (CSC) before the stage this morning, and the
133km remaining from 184km
The peloton is in full chase mode now, as Liberty moves back to the front. The
137km remaining from 184km
The break is powering along, with all four men taking hard turns. It's a bit
138km remaining from 184km
We spoke to Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears) this morning, and he told us,
141km remaining from 184km
The leaders are now flying on the descent towards the Cat. 3 c
143km remaining from 184km
Liberty is really eating into this lead. 3'15 and falling fast. T-Mobile has
144km remaining from 184km
Hulsmans flies past the Liberty train on the descent, but it's not an attack.
146km remaining from 184km
Fritsch rides at the front in his bright yellow Saunier Duval jersey. It's a
147km remaining from 184km
Fritsch takes the points at the top (uncontested) ahead of Serpellini and Jalabert.
The peloton is shedding riders on the climb. Rogers is dropped - he's obviously
Igor Gonzalez attacks! Interesting tactic by Liberty.
148km remaining from 184km
Igor gets a bit of a gap as he powers away on this short climb, but there is
151km remaining from 184km
Davitamon-Lotto has now taken over the chasing, trying to set up Merckx who
152km remaining from 184km
Jaksche and Kirchen are moving up to the front of the bunch, as the four leaders
153km remaining from 184km
Fritsch is once again setting the pace on the climb, looking quite good.
De Weert has 15 seconds, putting him 1'28 behind the four leaders. The young
154km remaining from 184km
Jaan Kirsipuu is dropped, and he's not coming back today. Yesterday he rode
154km remaining from 184km
Fritsch leads the break over the top of the climb, still looking good. Serpellini
156km remaining from 184km
Vansummeren and Evans are on the front of the peloton, which is getting rid
The leaders are now on the Cat. 2 Col du Corps-de-Garde, which comes right after
158km remaining from 184km
The thinned down bunch is now being towed by Thomas Dekker the Younger, in pursuit
This climb is only 1.8 km at 5.4% - a bit soft for a Cat. 2, but it is early
159km remaining from 184km
Erik Dekker punctures - very bad timing. He gets a wheel from a teammate and
Fritsch leads the break on the climb, putting Hayman in difficulties. The Australian
Axel Merckx attacks the peloton! There's a reaction as a Credit Agricole rider
160km remaining from 184km
Merckx is joined by Kashechkin and a Saunier rider - is that Zaballa? He takes
This descent is very technical, and Dekker might be able to get the bunch before
161km remaining from 184km
Serpellini leads on the descent. Fritsch is now last wheel, having problems
162km remaining from 184km
This descent is incredibly technical. Dekker is making up ground and is at the
163km remaining from 184km
The gap is 30 seconds between the break and the peloton as it nears the bottom
164km remaining from 184km
Fritsch is still chasing the three leaders. He can climb a lot better than he
Merckx is in third wheel behind Osa and Valverde in the peloton. Then two Saunier
166km remaining from 184km
Fritsch is still chasing the leaders, gradually closing the gap to JaJa, Serpellini
167km remaining from 184km
The leaders hit the foot of the climb with an 18 second advantage. Fritsch is
167km remaining from 184km
The first acceleration is made by a Saunier rider. Jaksche marks him, looking
The peloton is about 25 men as it hits the first bend. Jaksche hammers with
168km remaining from 184km
Moncouti
168km remaining from 184km
Jaksche closes the gap to Contador with Voigt on his wheel. Evans is in fourth
169km remaining from 184km
Contador's acceleration is really doing some damage and we have Jaksche, Voigt,
Popovych and Vino are dropped as Jaksche and Voigt continue to sit behind Contador.
Vino is riding at his own tempo. It's not going to be his stage today.
170km remaining from 184km
The lead group has: Voigt, Jaksche, Contador, Evans, Rebellin, Simoni, Piepoli,
170km remaining from 184km
Simoni takes over from Gomez and puts time into the Spaniard. But the Saunier
171km remaining from 184km
Simoni accelerates and drops Gomez. In the bunch, there is also some action
Simoni is alone as Gomez can't hang on. In the bunch, Voigt is in trouble. Julich
171km remaining from 184km
Gilberto Simoni is realising the benefits of a solid early season racing program
Gibo Simoni has less than 1 km to go and looks to have this stage won. Gomez
172km remaining from 184km
Simoni is suffering, but he still looks to have it under control. He looks back
172km remaining from 184km
Gomez grits his teeth, trying to hold onto second place as the next group draws
Gomez is caught, and it's Evans second ahead of Moncouti
