63rd Paris-Nice - ProTour

France, March 6-13, 2005

Photography

Prologue - Sunday, March 6: Issy-les-Moulineaux, 4km
Stage 1 - Monday, March 7: Etampes - Chabris, 186.5km
Stage 2 - Tuesday, March 8: Aigueperse - Thiers, 46.5 km
Stage 3 - Wednesday, March 9: Thiers - Craponne-sur-Arzon, 118 km
Stage 4 - Thursday, March 10: Saint-Peray - Montélimar, 101km
Stage 5 - Friday, March 11: Rognes - Toulon (Mont-Faron), 172.5km
Stage 6 - Saturday, March 12: La Crau - Cannes, 184km
Stage 7 - Sunday, March 13: Nice - Nice, 135km

Stage 7 - Sunday, March 13: Nice - Nice, 135km

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Images by AFP Photo

• The peloton ride along the Promenade des Anglais
• Bobby Julich (CSC) clearly enjoying himself
• Jens Voigt (CSC) sets tempo for Julich
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis) was undisputably the best climber
• Moncoutie leading the break
• Julich and Valverde never far away from each other
• Bobby Julich (CSC) in the pack, marked by Zaballa
• Alberto Contador (Liberty) attacks the break
• Valverde, Evans put the pressure on over the top of the Col d'Eze
• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) tows Contador all the way to the finish
• Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears) beats Pellizotti to win the last stage
• Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears) enjoying his win
• Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears) on the podium
• Bobby Julich (CSC) and his wife Angela
• An ecstatic Bobby Julich on the podium
• Bobby Julich (CSC) the winner of the first ProTour race and first ProTour jersey
• The top three: Constantino Zaballa (2nd), Bobby Julich (1st) and Alejandro Valverde (3rd)

Images by Hedwig Kröner/Cyclingnews.com

• A huge carbon fork on Saunier Duval's Scott bike
• Leonardo Piepoli's XS Scott
• FSA carbon seat post on Cadel Evans' Ridley
• Alberto Contador's BH
• Seat post integrated into the frame
• Nice black Spanish brakes on a BH with Corima blocks
• Carbon Corima wheels for Alberto Contador
• BH's full carbon frame for Liberty Seguros
• Evgeni Petrov asks for a 53 ring before the start
• Jörg Ludewig speaking to Cyclingnews' Hedwig Kröner
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis) chilling before the start
• Lampre shorts this season are bizarrely coloured...
• Fred Rodriguez' stars and stripes bike
• Franco Pellizotti takes Fabian Cancellara's wheel to sign the start list
• Gilberto Simoni happy at the start
• Bobby Julich (CSC) signing in for victory
• David Zabriskie (CSC) smiles before hitting the road
• Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) chatting in the sun
• It is called "the race to the sun", finally
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) getting a tan
• Alexander Vinokourov (T-Mobile) just missed the stage vicory
• Jens Voigt (CSC) going to the podium
• The stage winner Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears)
• Paris-Nice victory for the 'local' Bobby Julich
• Julich smiling ear to ear
• Voigt started in yellow and finished in green on the podium of Paris-Nice
• Polka-dotted Moncoutié just seems tired
• Stage win and best young rider jersey for Valverde - not too bad!
• CSC was definitely the best team of the race
• Bjarne Riis waves goodbye to the crowd
• Jens Voigt Dave Zabriskie and Bobby Julich
• Top three in GC: Constantino Zaballa (2nd), Bobby Julich (1st) and Alejandro Valverde (3rd)
• Julich's wife Angela and daughter enjoy the flowers and the big lion
• The jerseys and trophies of Paris-Nice
• '"Is this really mine?" Julich wearing the first official ProTour leader's jersey
• The Julichs posing for the camera

Stage 6 - Saturday, March 12: La Crau - Cannes, 184km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Bobby Julich (CSC) focused
• Bobby Julich (CSC) ready to start
• Tom Boonen and Mick Rogers chat with former teammate Richard Virenque in their team bus
• Bobby Julich (CSC) enjoyed his day in the sun today
• Bobby Julich (CSC) surrounded by his teammates
• CSC was untouchable today
• Jorg Jaksche (Liberty) couldn't do much today
• Which way? That way!
• The bunch cruising along in the sixth stage
• The peloton rides through trees during stage 6
• Alberto Contador (Liberty) sets things alight on the Tanneron, with Vinokourov in tow
• Belgians Philippe Gilbert and Kevin Hulsmans attack in pursuit of the break
• Jorg Ludewig (Domina Vacanze) away on his own
• Joost Posthuma (Rabobank) en route to victory
• Joost Posthuma (Rabobank) shows the effort in the last kilometres
• Joost Posthuma (Rabobank) wins the stage into Cannes
• A happy Joost Posthuma on the podium

Images by Hedwig Kröner/Cyclingnews.com

• José Luis Rubiera (Discovery) in the sun at the start
• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) after signing the startlist
• '"Just retired" Richard Virenque came on his bike to the start
• Some of the Euskadis ride a Columbus Starship frame
• The Dura Ace carbon wheel fits well with the black Francaise des Jeux Lapierre...
• ...and with the black Crédit Agricole 585 Look too!
• Integrated headset?
• No full carbon fork on the Discovery Trek Madone
• Yaroslav Popovych is using the SRM crank and computer on his bike
• Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears) happy to sign some autographs
• A lot of chocolate for Bobby Julich! Surely that won't fit in his musette?
• A happy life in the yellow jersey
• Constantino Zaballa (Saunier Duval) concentrates on the stage to come
• '"Hi, my name is..." Cadel Evans
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis) in the polka-dot jersey
• Tom Boonen is the last rider to sign in
• Franco Pellizotti rolls towards the start line
• The star-spangled jersey of Fred Rodriguez
• TiTi Voeckler signing one last autograph before hitting the road
• Finally, the sun is out! Jaksche enjoys it.
• Joost Posthuma (Rabobank) just after his victory
• Floyd Landis (Phonak) after the stage finish
• Posthuma enjoying the crowd's cheer on the podium
• Waving the lion for the second time: Bobby Julich
• Moncoutié getting zipped by Duclos-Lassalle
• Late on the podium but not too late for a kiss: Tom Boonen

Stage 5 - Friday, March 11: Rognes - Toulon (Mont-Faron), 172.5km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) in the points jersey
• The peloton navigate a switchback climb
• The peloton racing through vineyards
• Fassa Bortolo in command
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) in the leader's jersey
• Jorg Jaksche (Liberty) and Jens Voigt (CSC) stay close to each other
• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) suffered a bit today
• David Moncoutie (Cofidis) leading Alberto Contador (Liberty Seguros)
• Alberto Contador (Liberty) made life tough for Jens Voigt, and the rest…
• Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) leading Jose Angel Gomez (Saunier Duval) on Mont Faron
• Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) rides away from Jose Angel Gomez (Saunier Duval)
• Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) wins the 5th stage atop Mont Faron
• Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) is really happy with his win
• Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) kisses his medal
• Bobby Julich (CSC) in the yellow and white leader's jersey

Images by Hedwig Kröner/Cyclingnews.com

• Jens Voigt (CSC) at the start, still hoping to take the lead
• Fred Rodriguez (Davitamon-Lotto) being interviewed before taking the road
• Cancellara leaves Rognon in his Yellow/white jersey
• 'Gibo' just after the finish line celebrating with his soigneur
• Julich arriving on Mont Faron, just before Jaksche
• Exhausted: Tom Danielson
• Bobby Julich (CSC) holding up the lion - he'll give it to his daughter
• The American in a post-podium interview

Images by Mark Hazelton

• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) ready but not happy
• Jose Luis Rubiera making his former teammates Landis and Pena laugh
• Viatcheslav Ekimov (Discovery Channel) on the move
• Fred Rodriguez (Davitamon-Lotto) interviewed at the start
• Floyd Landis (Phonak) happy at the start
• It's almost over for these three Euskaltel riders
• Bobby Julich (CSC) in yellow now
• CSC manager Bjarne Riis in the hot seat again
• Bobby Julich (CSC) and the photographer's dog

Stage 4 - Thursday, March 10: Saint-Peray - Montélimar, 101km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues) paying attention
• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) in the thick of things
• The peloton races during stage 4
• It's back breaking work in Paris-Nice
• Chavanel, Vinokourov and Voigt in a dangerous seven man break
• Jens Voigt (CSC) and Axel Merckx (Davitamon-Lotto)
• Race leader Tom Boonen working with his Quick.Step teammates to bring back a break
• The peloton ride across a bridge
• Jalabert and Portal fly on the final descent
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) beats Kirsipuu and Flecha to win stage 4
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) wins the 4th stage
• A happy Fabian Cancellara on the podium
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) now in the yellow and white jersey

Images by Hedwig Kröner/Cyclingnews.com

• Erik Dekker (Rabobank) still waking up at the start
• Red, white and blue ribbons on Dekker's bike - how very elaborate!
• Jörg Jaksche (Liberty) chatting to his former boss Bjarne Riis
• Jaksche finally enjoying the sun but there's this hard stage coming up in a few minutes...
• Axel Merckx on his father's bike and not using a Ridley like the rest of Davitamon-Lotto.
• Johan Bruyneel and Axel Merckx talking in Flemish

Images by Russell Standring/grenoblecycling.free.fr

• Floyd Landis (Phonak) looks happy to see the sun in St Peray
• Leader Tom Boonen (Quick Step) at the start in St Peray
• Sign on for the Française Des Jeux riders in St Peray
• Thomas Ziegler (Gerolsteiner) signs on with commentary from the voice of the Tour de France, Daniel Mangeas
• Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) discusses his bike before the start in St Peray
• The race goes this way according to Erik Dekker (Rabobank)
• Riders chat before the start in St Peray
• Jean-Patrick Nazon (Ag2r Prevoyance) is surprised to hear his name in St Peray
• St Pernay, happy to be a start town in the 2005 Paris Nice
• Oscar Sevilla (T-Mobile Team) warms up in St Peray
• Oscar Sevilla (Spa) is happy to sign autographs for his fans
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) is a popular figure in St Peray
• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile Team) contemplates the afternoon's racing
• David Moncoutie (Cofidis) lines up in St Peray behind the Rabobank team
• Erik Dekker (Rabobank) chats while waiting for the start in St Peray
• Tom Boonen has enjoyed great early season form
• Jens Voigt (CSC) takes the sprint from Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) and Erik Dekker (Rabobank) in Cleon-D'Andran
• A few seconds down from the leaders, a chasing group in Cleon-D'Andran
• At 59 km, a group chases through Cleon-D'Andran
• The sun was actually shining on this chasing bunch
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) on the podium and big screen in Montélimar
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) puts on the leader's jersey in Montélimar

Stage 3 - Wednesday, March 9: Thiers - Craponne-sur-Arzon, 118 km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Everyone's a sprinter, but Vicente Reynes (Illes Balears) has the last laugh in Craponne-sur-Arzon.
• Tom Boonen's beard isn't slowing him down one bit, as he holds onto the overall lead after Stage 3.

Images by AFP Photo

• Synchronize watches boys, we're robbing a bank!
• David Moncoutie (Cofidis) attacks after 20 km
• Erik Dekker (Rabobank) leads Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) in stage 3
• It has to be said that it looks nice
• The peloton rides through the snow-bound French countryside
• Jorg Jaksche (Liberty) rides in the break, along with Yaroslav Popovych (Discovery)
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) knows that he's doing himself the world of good
• Rebellin, Armstrong and Dekker ride during stage 3
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) trying to keep the grit away
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) looking comfortable on the climb
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) rides in the company of his teammates and a couple of Fassa Bortolo riders through the snow
• Jens Voigt (CSC) puts in a massive attack at the end, with Jorg Jaksche (Liberty) in tow
• Yeah! Vicente Reynes (Illes Balears) celebrates his first pro win
• Vicente Reynes (Illes Balears) really enjoying his success
• A happy Vicente Reynes (Illes Balears) on the podium

Stage 2 - Tuesday, March 8: Aigueperse - Thiers, 46.5 km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) takes his second stage win in this year's Paris-Nice, and thoroughly enjoys it.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) in the leader's jersey after Stage 2, but some tough days are just around the corner.

Images by AFP Photo

• Race leader Erik Dekker at the start, with race director Christian Prudhomme
• Rabobank and Quick.Step drove the peloton hard for the whole stage
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery) loving every minute of it
• The peloton flies along in the snow
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) beats Kurt-Asle Arvesen (CSC) and Yaroslav Popovych (Discovery) to win stage 2
• Jens Voigt (CSC) finishes the stage in 20th place
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) on the podium, now in the leader's jersey
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) looks dubiously at the Credit Lyonnais mascot
• Race director Christian Prudhome (C) discusses tomorrow's stage with the police and director of competition, Jean-Francois Pescheux

Images by Jean Francois Quenet

• Lance Armstrong made himself popular with the kids from the cycling school of La Châtre
• Andy Flickinger of Ag2r turned himself into a mechanic at the gathering in La Châtre 4 hours prior to the real start of stage 2

Stage 1 - Monday, March 7: Etampes - Chabris, 186.5km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) straps on the battle helmet
• It looks chilly
• The peloton rides through fields of snow in stage 1
• The peloton rides through fields of snow in stage 1
• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) rides in the centre of the peloton
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) rides during the first stage
• Yaroslav Popovych (Discovery Channel) obviously likes the cold better than Armstrong (R)
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) and Mick Rogers (Quick.Step) talk turkey
• Armstrong and Totschnig discuss the weather
• A crash creates problems
• Bram Tankink leads the Quick.Step train
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) wins the first stage ahead of Pagliarini and Kirsipuu
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) on the podium
• Erik Dekker (Rabobank) pulls on the leader's jersey after stage 1

Images by Jean Francois Quenet

• Jens Voigt (CSC) was a popular race leader at the start in Etampes
• Robert Hunter (Phonak) had strong intentions to win the stage before pulling out due to a crash
• Thomas Lovkvist (Francaise des Jeux) is one of the very young guns to watch in Paris-Nice
• Nicolas Fritsch (Saunier Duval) greets his former FDJ teammates

Prologue - Sunday, March 6: Issy-les-Moulineaux, 4km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) signs autographs for eager fans
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) warms up, watched by many
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) jokes with the crowd as he warms up
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) can afford to laugh
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) in full focus mode
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) rides up to the start ramp
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) leaves the start ramp
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) riding during his TT, where he was a long way off the pace
• Jens Voigt (CSC) at full power, en route to winning the prologue
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) was second behind Voigt
• Erik Dekker (Rabobank) pulled one out of the bag again for a third place
• Defending champ Jorg Jaksche (Liberty) couldn't repeat his success of last year
• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) looked smooth on his way to a top 20
• Two time prologue winner Nico Mattan (Davitamon-Lotto) was sixth today
• Bobby Julich (CSC) was slightly off the pace of his teammates
• Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears) was solid in the prologue
• Jens Voigt (CSC) on the podium after the prologue

Images by Luc Claessen/cyclingnews.com/actiefotos.be

• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) looking good on the way to sixteenth.
• Erik Dekker (Rabobank) came close to Voigt's time to finish third
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) once again showed his prologue talents to finish second
• The effort shows as Jens Voigt powers to first place
• Jörg Jaksche will be trying to defend his 2004 title for his new team Liberty Seguros
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery) was 27 seconds slower than Voigt
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery) is very much treating Paris-Nice as a training race
• Michael Rogers (Quick Step) on the way to tenth place
• Mario Aerts (Davitamon-Lotto) rides in the chilly Paris Spring sunshine
• Nico Mattan (Davitamon-Lotto) finished a very respectable sixth
• Roberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita) is no Spring prologue specialist as his 100th place indicates
• Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) is hoping for a comeback year in 2005
• Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) posted a solid ride for fourteenth place.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) was just 14 seconds slower than Voigt
• Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) is making the move up to the big league for 2005

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Oscar Sevilla (T-Mobile) baby face
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) is ready
• Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears) refuels
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) on the ramp
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) waits
• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) prepares
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) gets ready
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) looked happy at the start
• Dario Cioni (Liquigas)
• Viatcheslav Ekimov (Discovery Channel) showing good form
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner)
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) really doesn't like this
• Rik Verbrugghe (Quick.Step)
• Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery)
• Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo)
• Victor Pena (Phonak)
• Yaroslav Popovych (Discovery Channel)
• Oscar Sevilla (T-Mobile)
• Axel Merckx (Davitamon-Lotto)
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
• Jens Voigt (CSC) driving
• Jens Voigt (CSC)
• Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze)
• Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) looks a bit cold
• Philippe Gilbert (Francaise des Jeux) has a lean and hungry look
• Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom)
• Nico Mattan (Davitamon-Lotto)
• Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears)
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) in the groove
• Floyd Landis (Phonak)
• Floyd Landis (Phonak) gritting his teeth
• Michael Rogers (Quick Step) enjoying it
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) clearly suffering
• Lance sets off
• Erik Dekker (Rabobank)
• Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile)
• Bobby Julich (CSC) frontal
• Jorg Jaksche (Liberty)
• Jorg Jaksche (Liberty) shows the pain

Images by Régis Garnier /www.velofotopro.fr.st

• Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) attempts to dislodge a piece of leftover lunch from his left molar
• Jens Voigt (CSC) psyches himself up at the start
• Floyd Landis (Phonak) ready for the off
• Michael Rogers (Quick Step) in the rainbow of world TT champion
• Bike ninja Victor Hugo Pena (Phonak) - Paris is too cold for a Colombian!
• Koen De Koerts (Liberty Seguros) warms up.
• Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears) is making a popular Paris-Nice debut
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery) takes a recon lap in a car.
• A brace of Dekkers Rabobank's Erik and Thomas warms up
• Alejandro Valverde is happy to be in Paris despite the cold
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery) under starters orders
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) would finish fifth
• Jens Voigt (CSC) smiles from the podium
• Jens Voigt talks to the press after his win

Images by Tim Maloney/cyclingnews.com

• A very rugged-up Lance Armstrong signs autographs before the start
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) at the start
• Jens Voigt warms up. To head off the questions, they're probably cotton wool soaked in olbas oil to open the nasal passages.
• Floyd Landis (Phonak) warms up

Images by Alain Quenderf

• Lance Armstrong rolls out in his new Discovery Channel kit
• Lance Armstrong heads for the start house
• Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) ready to race, but for the jacket.
• Erik and Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) roll out to the start
• Jörg Jaksche (Liberty Seguros-Würth) heads for the start house
• Floyd Landis (Phonak) ready to roll
• Jean-Patrick Nazon (Ag2r Prevoyance)
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir)
• Didier Rous (Bouygues Telecom)
• Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears)
• Erik Dekker (Rabobank) and Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears)
• Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) really looks like he'd rather be somewhere warmer