Paris-Nice

Stage 8:  Nice to Nice, 124km/77mi

By Cathy Mehl

A mid-race break included Voeckler, as well as Team rider Matthew Busche and Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana).  Voeckler attacked the break on the Col d’Eze and arrived alone at the finish line along the Promedade des Anglais along the beautiful Cote d’Azur.  The majority of the remaining riders, including The Shack’s top three, arrived almost 90-seconds later. 

Team Director Alain Gallopin summed up the rain-soaked day saying, “It was too dangerous to attack Martin today.  With the rain and road conditions it was really impossible.  So we rode to protect our second place and our team GC.  Martin was the best.”

Jani receives advice from Director Alain Gallopin at the car

Racing continues through Tuesday for Team RadioShack in Italy, racing in Tirreno-Adriatico.  Then a few days of well-deserved rest are in store for the riders before Milano-Sanremo on Saturday, March 19.

Beyond the Finish Line:  The Promenade des Anglais is a long walkway that stretches along the Mediterranean seaside in Nice.   Built in the 1830s, visitors today can enjoy a leisurely walk along the Baie des Anges.    Many of Nice's most elegant hotels, restaurants and shops are situated along this 5 kilometer roadway that runs next to the pedestrian promenade.  And today it hosted the finish for Paris-Nice.

Sergio drives the pack


Top Ten Results

1              Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar   3:15:58  

2              Diego Ulissi (Ita) Lampre - ISD     0:00:23  

3              Julien El Fares (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne     0:01:06  

4              Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                             

5              David Lopez Garcia (Spa) Movistar Team                                

6              Matteo Carrara (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team                 0:01:08  

7              Gorka Izagirre Insausti (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi   0:01:12  

8              Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team         0:01:22  

9              Simon Spilak (Slo) Lampre - ISD                  

10           Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu) Pro Team Astana

Team RadioShack Results

13           Andreas Klöden (Ger)

15           Jani  Brajkovic (Slo)

19           Levi Leipheimer (USA)

21           Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por)  0:01:25

63           Markel Irizar Aranburu (Spa)  0:09:32

65           Matthew Busche (USA)  0:09:32

DNF       Robert Hunter (RSA)

Final General Classification

1              Tony Martin (Ger) HTC-Highroad              34:03:37                

2              Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team RadioShack               0:00:36  

3              Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling       0:00:41  

4              Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne   0:01:10  

5              Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi            0:01:13  

6              Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale              0:01:24  

7              Jani Brajkovic (Slo) Team RadioShack      0:01:34  

8              Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team RadioShack               0:01:36  

9              Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team   0:02:04  

10            Maxime Monfort (Bel) Leopard Trek       0:02:26

Team RadioShack on Final General Classification

52           Sergio Miguel Moreira Paulinho (Por)  0:31:54    

53           Matthew Busche (USA)   0:32:18

62           Markel Irizar Aranburu (Spa)  0:38:19     

Photos courtesy of Graham Watson