Sam Bennett smashes Paris Nice Stage 1 Uphill Sprint

Bennett comes round all his rivals to stamp his authority on the first early spring Sprint. Richie Porte has to abandon after freak accident left him on the floor reeling in pain

The opening stage of Paris-Nice was a two lap affair around Saint-cyr-l'école just outside the capital with an uphill sprint finish along the Palace of Versailles.

The stage saw Fabien Doubey attack soon after the start and managed to build a four minute gap.

Behind the peloton, Deceuninck-QuickStep, Trek-Segafredo and Groupama-FDJ started to bring the gap down 2with 88 km to go.

With 54 kms to go and Phillippe Gilbert attacked out of the pack for Lotto Soudal. Stefano Oldani (Lotto Soudal), Antony Perez (Cofidis),  and Christopher Lawless (Total Direct Energie) followed as they caught Fabien Doubey.

Philippe Gilbert, Stefano Oldani (Lotto Soudal), Antony Perez (Cofidis) tried to drop the two Total Direct Energie riders who wouldn't contribute.

With around 40 kms to go Richie Porte was seen reeling on the floor in a small stack at the back of the peloton. He got back on but was struggling, but later abandoned as it looked as he had injured his hip, he was left far behind the back of the race.

The three leaders made it to the top of the final 3rd category climb with Christopher Lawless (Total Direct Energie) taking the KOM points and the KOM jersey and ceremoniously drifting casualy back into the pack.

Bora and Lotto really start to chase and Gilbert, Oldani and Perez have been brought back by the pack with 25 km to go

 A group of 7 went clear after the intermediate sprint,Pierre Latour (Total Direct Energie) took six other riders with him: Kragh Andersen, Teuns, Cattaneo, De la Cruz, Gautier, Sbaragli. The peloton was just ten seconds behind. 

6kms to go and the sprinters teams got organized, Trek lead the bunch for Mads Pedersen, Cofidis and Groupama-FDJ are taking turns at the front of the peloton.

Jumbo-Visma show themselves for the front time, eager to make sure Primoz Roglic is safely tucked in near the head of the bunch for the 3km to go marker. 

Bennet, Coquard, Demare, Pederson, Bahaus were all upfront in the last km.

In the final uphill sprint, it was a Perfect leadout for Ackermann, but he had nothing in the tank. Sam Bennett was on his wheel and passed him on the left had side with ease. Demare went too early and sprinted against BORA's train, Pedersen was caught behind Demare.

Stage 2 on Monday is a flat 188km stage from Oinville-sur-Montcient to Amilly and will suit a breakaway or bunch sprint. The weather especially the wind could affect this stage. Tune and in and watch and follow LIVE tomorrow.

VIDEO: 2021 Paris Nice Stage 1 Highlights

2021 Paris Nice Stage 1 Top 10

1          Sam Bennett (Irl) Deceuninck-QuickStep     3:51:38
2          Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ        
3          Mads Pedersen (Den) Trek-Segafredo        
4          Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix
5          Bryan Coquard (Fra) B&B Hotels p/b KTM
6          Pascal Ackermann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe  
7          Phil Bauhaus (Ger) Bahrain Victorious      
8          Christophe Laporte (Fra) Cofidis    
9          André Greipel (Ger) Israel Start-Up Nation
10        Rudy Barbier (Fra) Israel Start-Up Nation

 
Tag: parisnice
 
Mar 10 2024 - NEWS: American Matteo Jorgensen wins 2024 Paris-Nice
Mar 09 2024 - NEWS: McNulty clings to Yellow Jersey as Vlasov wins stage seven
Mar 08 2024 - NEWS: American McNulty takes Paris-Nice lead as race heads towards snow
Mar 07 2024 - NEWS: Olav Kooij takes second stage win at Paris-Nice
Mar 05 2024 - NEWS: McNulty and UAE Team Emirates steal Paris-Nice race lead at Team Time Trial
Mar 04 2024 - NEWS: Arvid De Kleijn Sprints to Stage win in Paris-Nice Sunshine
Mar 01 2024 - NEWS: Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic to go head-to-head at Paris Nice
Dec 13 2023 - NEWS: 2024 Paris Nice continues to animate race with a Team Time Trial
Mar 12 2023 - NEWS: Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar wins Paris-Nice in dominant style
Mar 11 2023 - NEWS: Pogacar battles to extend Paris-Nice lead
Mar 10 2023 - NEWS: Stage 6 of Paris-Nice Cancelled Due To Adverse Weather Conditions
Mar 09 2023 - NEWS: Olav Kooij takes first big win with Paris-Nice sprint win
Mar 08 2023 - NEWS: Pogacar attacks to win 4th stage and lead at Paris-Nice
Mar 07 2023 - NEWS: Cort Nielsen takes overall Paris-Nice lead after Team Time Trial
Mar 06 2023 - NEWS: Mads Pedersen wins chaotic sprint on Stage 2 of Paris-Nice
Mar 03 2024 - EVENT: 2024 Paris Nice
Mar 09 2025 - EVENT: The ParisNice Challenge