62nd Paris-Nice - 2.HC

France, March 7-14, 2004

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Stage 1 - March 7: Chaville - Issy-les-Moulineaux / Vanves, 13.2 km
Stage 2 - March 8: Chaville - Montargis, 166.5 km
Stage 3 - March 9: La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin - Roanne, 227.5 km
Stage 4 - March 10: Roanne - Le Puy-en-Velay, 179 km
Stage 5 - March 11: Le Puy-en-Velay - Rasteau, 215 km
Stage 6 - March 12: Rasteau - Gap, 173.5 km
Stage 7 - March 13: Digne-les-Bains - Cannes, 185.5 km
Stage 8 - March 14: Nice - Nice, 144 km

Stage 1 - March 7: Chaville - Issy-les-Moulineaux / Vanves, 13.2 km

Images by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews.com

Floyd Landis (US Postal Service) loves the rock, not the techno
Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal Service) gets a pre-race rub from Freddy Viaene
T-Mobile's Mario Aerts finds a bit of solitude for his warm up
Former Paris-Nice winner Frank Vandenbroucke gets ready
Alex Zülle zips up as the rain returns
Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches La Boulangère) keeps an eye on the crowd
Bobby Julich was ready for Paris-Nice and confirmed with a 7th place in the time trial
Perennial Paris-Nice favourite Dario Frigo didn't have his best start
A proud Bjarne Riis accompanies stage 1 winner Jörg Jaksche to the podium
Jörg Jaksche (Team CSC) dons the first yellow jersey of the 2004 Paris-Nice
Jörg Jaksche happy in yellow

Images by Luc Claessen/Cyclingnews/www.actiefotos.be

Jörg Jaksche (Team CSC) picked up where he left off in the Tour Méditerranéen, winning the opening time trial of Paris-Nice.
World time trial champion David Millar (Cofidis) wasn't at his best, but still managed fourth place.
Victor Hugo Pena (USPS-Berry Floor) knows harder days lie ahead in the support of team-mate Floyd Landis.
Beginning his first race in Phonak colours, Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) put in a modest time to finish 29th.
Defending champion Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) finished 16th.
Belgium's Mario Aerts (T-Mobile Team) finished in 64th place.
The Warrior Michele Bartoli (CSC) finished a third of the way down the 160-strong group in 65th place.
Bartoli's team-mate, Ivan Basso, finished 10 places ahead in 55th position, 49 seconds behind Jörg Jaksche.
Walter Beneteau (Brioches La Boulangere) tried hard, but came 97th.
Tom Boonen (Quick.Step-Davitamon) will be fine-tuning his legs in Paris-Nice for the upcoming Spring Classics.
Consistent prologue performer Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) finished in 23rd place today.
French hopeful Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches La Boulangere) finished over a minute behind the winning time of Jaksche.
Kevin De Weert (Rabobank) showing off his pearly whites.
Eirk Dekker (Rabobank) marked a return to form after finishing on the podium.
Unai Etxebarria (Euskaltel-Euskadi) performed well to finish in the top 15.
One of the favourites for the overall, Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo), giving it everything he's got.
George Hincapie (US Postal-Berry Floor) has come back to form after contracting a virus earlier in the season.
Kim Kirchen (Fassa Bortolo) also rode well to earn a spot in the top 20.
Pablo Lastras (Illes Balears-Banesto) finished 59th.
Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank) will be hoping for a better year in 2004.
"Err, I'm not sure whether I like these prologue things" - Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) looking a little unsure of his surroundings.
Axel Merckx (Lotto-Domo) had a very poor ride to finish fourth-last in today's prologue.
Grischa Niermann's (Rabobank) 17 minutes and 41 seconds of suffering earned him a top 10 finish.
Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) set the early best time that stood for almost the whole day.
Christophe Rinero (R.A.G.T. Semences-MG Rover) was not in his element today, placing 118th on the stage.
Swiss champion Daniel Schnider (Phonak Cycling Team) placed 90th.
Marco Serpellini (Gerolsteiner) didn't have a great ride today.
Scott Sunderland (Alessio-Bianchi) powers out of the saddle in the first stage
Frank Vandenbroucke (Fassa Bortolo) is still keen to prove his worth as one of the world's best one-day riders.
Dutchman Aart Vierhouten (Lotto-Domo) also had a tough day in the office.
Richard Virenque (Quick.Step-Davitamon) pouts for the camera, but didn't do his finishing time much good.
Jens Voigt (Team CSC) was one of three CSC riders to finish in the top 10.
Thomas Ziegler is a new recruit to Gerolsteiner from Team Wiesenhof.
After finishing sixth today, Alex Zülle (Phonak Hearing Systems) is one to watch out for in the coming stages.

Images by AFP Photo

Alex Zülle (Phonak) reaches for the gear lever
Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) was well off his best today
Defending champion Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) during his time trial
David Millar (Cofidis) in action during stage 1
Jörg Jaksche (CSC) showed perfect form to win
Jörg Jaksche (CSC) in yellow after stage 1

Images by Alain Quenderf

Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) looks worried, but shouldn't have been, staying atop the leaderboard for an hour and a half before Jaksche toppled his time.
Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) well padded up before the start of today's time trial in Chaville.
Cofidis rider Frédéric Bessy concentrates hard on holding a good line.
Beat Zberg was the next best-placed Gerolsteiner rider after Rebellin, finishing in 26th place, 0'36 behind Jaksche.
Time trialling is not one of Hans De Clercq's (Lotto-Domo) specialities, finishing well down on Jaksche's winning time.
David Millar (Cofidis) was good, but not at his best today, finishing fourth.

Stage 2 - March 8: Chaville - Montargis, 166.5 km

Images by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews.com

Australian Allan Davis (Liberty Seguros) wasn't the only sprinter who missed the split Monday
Race leader Jörg Jaksche (Team CSC) lines up at the start next to teammate Jakob Piil
And they're off! The first road stage of the 2004 Paris-Nice gets under way
American Bobby Julich moved up to third overall after stage 1

Images by AFP Photo

Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches La Boulangère) shares a laugh in the fast-moving peloton
David Millar (l) and Alexandre Vinokourov both missed the crucial split
Michele Bartoli (Team CSC) rides alongside teammate and race leader Jörg Jaksche
Jörg Jaksche and CSC blew the race apart on stage 2
Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) finished in the lead group and held onto second place overall
Pedro Horillo (Quick.Step-Davitamon) timed his attack to perfection to take the stage
Pedro Horillo (Quick.Step-Davitamon) on the stage winner's podium

Images by Alain Quenderf

Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com) rolls out
Raivis Belohvosciks (Chocolade Jacques) thoroughly rugged-up against the morning chill
Christophe Rinero (R.A.G.T. Semences) talks to the press before the start
José Azevedo (US Postal) climbs out of the USPS mega-bus
Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) gives a wry smile
Pablo Lastras (Illes Balears-Banesto) looks like there's some early-season kilometres in those legs
Oscar Pereiro Sio (Phonak) smiles despite the cold
Walter Beneteau (Brioches la Boulangere) and Richard Virenque (Quick.Step-Davitamon) ready for the off
Erik Dekker (Rabobank) looks serious at the start of stage 2
Franck Renier (Brioches la Boulangere) seeing the world through orange glasses
Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto-Domo) looks confident at the start
Aart Vierhouten (Lotto-Domo) rolls out to the start
Samuel Dumoulin (AG2R) and Patrice Halgand check the day's route
Didier Rous (Brioches la Boulangere) waits to start with team-mate Walter Beneteau and AG2R's Samuel Dumoulin
David Millar (Cofidis) & Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com) share a joke at the start

Stage 3 - March 9: La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin - Roanne, 227.5 km

Images by AFP Photo

Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) suffers another day in the cold
Leon Van Bon (Lotto-Domo) and Thomas Ziegler (Gerolsteiner) broke clear at kilometre 31 and never looked back
Richard Virenque did his part to help the chase as the peloton huddled against the cold
Team CSC kept race leader Jaksche out of trouble on the tour's longest stage
Leon Van Bon and Thomas Ziegler worked together all day to hold off the field
Leon Van Bon outsprints Thomas Ziegler to win stage 3 in Roanne
Leon Van Bon on the winner's podium after stage 3
Jörg Jaksche (Team CSC) held onto the race lead without difficulty

Stage 4 - March 10: Roanne - Le Puy-en-Velay, 179 km

Images by AFP Photo

Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) keeps his face warm
Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) clearly enjoying the horizontal sleet
The peloton facing a snowy prospect
Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) rides in the snow during the cancelled fourth stage of Paris-Nice
It's going to take a while to clear the roads like this
Michele Bartoli, Ivan Basso and David Millar discuss the cancellation with race director Jean-Marie Leblanc

Stage 5 - March 11: Le Puy-en-Velay - Rasteau, 215 km

Images by AFP Photo

Jakob Piil leading the CSC train
Jens Voigt (CSC) marks Davide Rebellin (L) on the last climb
The peloton led by Quick.Step-Davitamon and FDJeux.com
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) powering to the finish
Bobby Julich and Jorg Jaksche sit in the middle of the CSC train
Jens Voigt (CSC) drives the break...hard
Jorg Jaksche (CSC) looking more comfortable in yellow
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) wins the stage ahead of Jorg Jaksche
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) on the podium after his stage win

Stage 6 - March 12: Rasteau - Gap, 173.5 km

Images by AFP Photo

Jorg Jaksche (CSC) looking set for another day in yellow
The peloton trying to keep warm
The peloton rides past a village en route to Gap in stage 6
Aitor Osa (Illes Balears) rides on his own in the lead during stage 6
Frank Vandenbroucke (Fassa Bortolo) goes on the attack, with Jaksche on his wheel
Denis Menchov (Illes Balears) on the Col de Manse
Denis Menchov (Illes Balears) wins the stage ahead of Sanchez
Aitor Osa (Illes Balears) in the mountains jersey now

Images by Russell Standring/grenoblecycling.free.fr

Jorg Jaksche (CSC) looks serious
Bobby Julich (CSC) sitting pretty in third on GC
Bjarne Riis the architect of Team CSC's success in Paris-Nice
Floyd Landis (US Postal-Berry Floor) looks psyched for a breakaway with 30 km to go
George Hincapie (US Postal-Berry Floor) looking happy with himself
Richard Virenque (Quick.Step-Davitamon) signs an autograph for a fan
Tom Boonen (Quick.Step-Davitamon) was denied his stage win
Michael Rogers (Quick.Step-Davitamon) holds the best young rider classification
Thomas Ziegler (Gerolsteiner) couldn't hold the mountains jersey today
Alex Zülle (Phonak) looking hungry
Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) is still hanging in there
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) warming up
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) kept busy signing autographs
Matthew Wilson (FDJeux.com) looking chilly in his Australian champion's jersey
David Millar (Cofidis) goes the headband
Laurent Brochard (Ag2r) relishing the challenge
Jean-Patrick Nazon (Ag2r) gets a pre-race rub
The pack leaves Rasteau
The Col de Manse looked very chilly
Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) leads Denis Menchov, Dave Bruylands and Floyd Landis (hidden) on the Col de Manse
A group of stragglers on the Col de Manse

Stage 7 - March 13: Digne-les-Bains - Cannes, 185.5 km

Images by AFP Photo

Jorg Jaksche (CSC) and Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) attack on the Col d'Ayen, forcing US Postal to chase
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) during the seventh stage
Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) grabs a drink during his attack
Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) battles the headwind in the final 4 km
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) wins his second stage in three days in Cannes
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) savours another victory
Jorg Jaksche (CSC) is still in yellow, with just one stage to go

Stage 8 - March 14: Nice - Nice, 144 km

Images by AFP Photo

The peloton near the start of the last stage
Frank Vandenbroucke (Fassa Bortolo) surprised a few people and attacked from the gun
Bobby Julich (CSC) looks back at Frank Vandenbroucke (Fassa Bortolo) after they attacked on the first climb
Marcos Serrano (Liberty Seguros) was part of the early break
Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) had a good ride on the final stage to finish in the top 10
Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) undresses
Jens Voigt (Team CSC) did a lot of work for CSC once again
Jorg Jaksche (CSC) with Bobby Julich and Davide Rebellin in tow
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) puts the power down on the Col d'Eze
Denis Menchov (Illes Balears) leads Alexandre Vinokourov on the descent
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) in full tuck on the descent of the Col d'Eze
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) beats Denis Menchov to win his third stage of this year's Paris-Nice
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) salutes the crowd after his third stage win
Jorg Jaksche (CSC) is the delighted winner of Paris-Nice