66th Paris-Nice - HC

France, March 9-16, 2008

Photography

Stage 7 - March 16: Nice - Nice, 119km

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Images by Hedwig Kröner/Cyclingnews.com

• The view near the start at the Promenade des Anglais and very tempting to leave the bike in the garage and hang out at the beach instead.
• Clément Lhôtellerie (Skil-Shimano) was happy with his racing so far, but is promising that he'll be active again today.
• Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r-La Mondiale) likes the weather better now than in the beginning and still has a shot at the overall.
• Yellow jersey Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) and his closest rival who is only one touch away. Three seconds ain't much!
• So Rinaldo, what's your plan today? Rebellin likes to know what his compatriot is trying to do, and where.
• Davide, I'll let you know when we are back in Nice. Nocentini has no interest in sharing his tactics.
• So, we will have to wait how the race unfolds between the top-2 dudes of the race.

Images by AFP Photo

• Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d'Epargne) takes the final stage into Nice after riding aggressively in the finale and held off the remainder of the peloton.
• Rebellin was only three seconds ahead of Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r-La Mondiale) which made for an exciting finale. But in the end, Rebellin's experience paid off.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) wins the 2008 race to the sun.

Images by Jean-Francois Quenet

• Australian champion Matt Lloyd (Silence-Lotto) could be Cadel Evans' helper in the Tour this year.
• Peter Velits (Milram) is enjoying his first year in the ProTour.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Finally, yellow for Rebellin!
• Looking good in yellow Davide Rebellin even cracks a smile on the podium.
• Sánchez got his consolation prize a stage win on the final day.
• Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d'Epargne) rode like a madman on the descent into Nice.
• Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d'Epargne) just barely made it to win.
• Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r-La Mondiale) shadowed Rebellin but could no overtake him to win.
• Bernard Kohl was with Rebellin when the going got tough.
• Rebellin and his team had the situation under control.
• Rebellin finally wins Paris-Nice after finishing on the podium three times.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) attacked, but didn't quite come up with the goods to win the final stage.
• The lead group shattered on the final climb.
• José Alberto Benítez (Saunier Duval) attacks on the Col d'Eze.

Stage 6 - March 15: Sisteron - Cannes, 206km

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• Robert Gesink's Rabobank team was nowhere to be found when he was dropped on the descent from the Tanneron.

Images by AFP Photo

• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) used his experience on the descent into Cannes to take over the yellow jersey.
• Sanchez makes his move while Rebellin watches for a reaction from his GC rival, Nocentini.
• Chavanel attacks! And Sanchez, coming off his own move, cannot follow.
• Yellow jersey Robert Gesink came in 1'29 down on stage winner Sylvain Chavanel after having to do all the chasing himself.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) took the win with a well-timed attack in the final kilometre.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) has had a fantastic Paris-Nice, having worn yellow and now with a stage win.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) takes over the yellow jersey, but leads by only three seconds with one stage to go.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) celebrates his victory due to his timely attack along the Méditerranéen sea.
• The new yellow man, Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) on the podium.
• Simon Spilak (Lampre) gets a little last-minute adjustment on his bicycle.
• The break that ran away with the yellow jersey contained the Gerolsteiner riders Rebellin (front) and Kohl (l), as well as Cunego (r) and eventual stage winner Chavanel (red jersey on the left).
• Rebellin and Kohl carried out the Gerolsteiner plan to perfection and were rewarded with the yellow jersey.
• Kevin Ista (Agritubel) was in the original eight-man break before having to surrender the enormous pace at the last couple of hills.
• Ista had a crash earlier in the race and shows his souvenirs still.
• Ista is taking a drink to stay hydrated, which was vitally important on a hilly day.
• Bobby Julich had a great race and finished third on the day, being in the break all day long.
• Ista's grimace got bigger as the race went on.

Stage 5 - March 14: Althen-des-Paluds - Sisteron, 172.5km

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Images by AFP Photo

• The break of the day with Barredo (c) and Moreau on the right.
• Rabobank had to work a bit but Gesink and his overall lead was never really in danger.
• Christophe Moreau looked strong but had no answer to the timely attack of Barredo.
• Carlos Barredo (Quick Step) punches the air as he wins the stage after a brilliant solo attack from the five-man break.
• Barredo brings in the third win for Quick Step during the 2008 Paris-Nice
• The Spaniard attacked hard and left the other four in his wake, winning with a few seconds to spare.

Images by Jean-Francois Quenet

• Clément Lhôtellerie (Skil-Shimano) talks about his ambitions for the Tour.

Images by Florian and Susanne Schaaf/cyclingpictures.de

• The break of the day contained 17 riders until Stef Clement (Bouygues Telecom) fell back. He would eventually abandon the race.
• Christophe Moreau (Agritubel) prominently showing his French Champ jersey.
• Eventual winner Carlos Barredo shadows David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne).
• Rabobank had their work cut out for the day, trying to let the group not get away too far.
• Barredo attacked twice with the second being 'la bonne' – the good attack that stuck.
• Gesink is relieved to have survived the day without crashing or any other untimely misfortunes.

Stage 4 - March 13: Montélimar - Mont Ventoux, 176km

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Images by Hedwig Kröner/Cyclingnews.com

• The Mont Ventoux from the valley with the snow cap clearly visible. Brrrrrrr.

Images by AFP Photo

• France's Secretary of State for Sport, Bernard Laporte, rides along with Christian Prudhomme (r) of the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) during the Paris-Nice.
• Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) wins the stage on the Ventoux.
• Evans beat Dutchman Robert Gesink who in turn took the overall lead.
• The sprint between Evans and Gesink on the right was close, but Evans was in command.
• Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r-La Mondiale) came from nowhere to get third and steal the bonification seconds from Rebellin. Fränk Schleck (Team CSC) is close behind.
• Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) on the podium and smiling about his early season-form.
• The Aussie was working for Yaroslav Popovych but the Ukrainian got dropped in the last couple of kilometres.
• Gesink in yellow, surely not for the last time in his career.
• Robert Gesink (Rabobank) smiles as he is the new leader of Paris-Nice. Will the young Dutchman be able to hang on to his lead?
• Evans is still pulling Gesink but realises moments later that his team-mate Popovych had been dropped. He would then stop working and eventually out-sprint Gesink for the stage victory.
• Sylvain Chavanel gave it his all but in the end he came almost four minutes late and lost his yellow jersey.
• Chavanel found the Ventoux a little too long.
• Clément L'Hottelerie (Skil-Shimano) leads Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) and Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto)

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) smiles to the spectators as the Aussie is showing good early season form.
• Evans outguns Gesink to the line on the famous Mont Ventoux.
• The Aussie declared that he isn't in better shape than last year, but said he really felt comfortable within the team.
• Winning on the Ventoux may be a good sign for the Tour this year.
• Robert Gesink had to do lots of pulling for the final two kilometres, as Silence Lotto had the upper hand on numbers, with Popovych close behind.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) looks up the Ventoux and showed that he is a force to reckon with, although it will be hard for him to beat Gesink now.
• Fränk Schleck (Team CSC) with some fashionable sunglasses is out of the saddle and storming up the Ventoux. He ended the day in fifth.
• The unmistakable combat face of Jens Voigt, who tackled the Ventoux solo after dropping the breakaway partners right when the climb started. But he got passed and finished 15th.
• Robert Gesink (Rabobank) has shown in California in the last two years that he is a good climber.
• Getting yellow on the Ventoux is special and if you are only 21 years old you may not even fully realise what you just accomplished.
• Gesink receives a lion for his efforts as is custom for ASO multi-day events.
• Evans was working for team-mate Yaroslav Popovych but the Ukrainian faded in the end and just managed to hang on for sixth place.
• Evans out of the saddle showing a lot of strength on the Ventoux.

Images by Petitesreines/Petitesreines.free.fr

• The Ventoux draws cyclists and artists alike.
• Evans on the left out-sprinted the young Dutchman.
• Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r-La Mondiale) came from nowhere to place third and even bested Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) and Fränk Schleck (Team CSC).
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) is showing good form ahead of the classics. He is now 32 seconds behind Gesink in the GC.
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis) rode in support of Chavanel but eventually got the green light to go ahead and came in 11th.
• Rémy Di Gregorio (Française des Jeux) tries to stay warm after the finish.
• French sports secretary Bernard Laporte congratulates Evans for winning the stage.
• Clément L'Hottelerie (Skil-Shimano) kept the polka dot for best climber with a brilliant ride on the Ventoux.
• Gesink smiles in yellow and the question now is: 'will he be able to keep it until Nice?'
• At only 21 years of age obviously Gesink also leads the young rider classification
• Bernard Hinault is never far form the action when the big races go through France.
• Thor Hushovd is still in green and has managed to survive the toughest stage.
• Hinault has won the Tour de France five times and stays involved closely with the sport.

Stage 3 - March 12: Fleurie - Saint-Étienne, 165.5km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Kjell Carlström (Liquigas) gets his biggest win from the day-long breakaway which stayed clear on stage three.
• Carlström rejoices after taking the stage win in Saint Etienne.
• Carlström overtakes Lhôtellerie in the final sprint.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) took over the lead on general classification after making a select chase group.
• Carlström was victorious giving Liquigas its first stage win of this year's Paris-Nice.
• Kjell Carlström (Liquigas) was able to out-sprint his French companion to take the win on stage three.
• Clément Lhôtellerie (Skil-Shimano) leads Carlström up the final climb.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) followed an attack by Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre) which succeeding in splitting the peloton on the final climb.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Nice scenery for the stage.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner)
• The peloton rolls along.
• The peloton with some lovely French scenery.
• Christophe Moreau (Agritubel).
• Kjell Carlström (Liquigas) with Clément L'Hottelerie (Skil-Shimano).
• Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas)
• Josep Jufré (Saunier Duval-Scott)
• Eduardo Gonzalo (Agritubel)
• Eduardo Gonzalo (Agritubel) gives it a go.
• Eduardo Gonzalo (Agritubel) with a slight gap.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) followed by Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis).
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) shows his legs with Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas).
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) licks his lips.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) all smiles.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) working with Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis).
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) and Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis).
• Spaniard Carlos Barredo (Quick Step) leading his team-mates.
• Kjell Carlström (Liquigas) wins stage 3.
• Kjell Carlström (Liquigas)
• Kjell Carlström (Liquigas) works for the win.
• Kjell Carlström (Liquigas) awarded for the win.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) takes the overall lead.

Images by Jean-Francois Quenet

• Clément Lhôtellerie (Skil Shimano)
• Trent Lowe (Slipstream) lost the best young rider's jersey when he crashed and lost contact with the leaders.
• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) has his last day in yellow
• Mickaël Chérel (Française des Jeux) had to drop out due to elbow injuries.
• Kjell Carlström (Liquigas) talks about his biggest career win.

Images by Florian & Susanne Schaaf/cyclingpictures.de

• Tour leader Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) looks up to finally see the sun.
• Thierry Huppond (Skil-Shimano) leads the mountains classification.
• Gert Steegmans (Quick Step) is keeping the points jersey warm, while leader Hushovd is in yellow.
• The peloton rolls through the hills in Southern France.
• A rider attacks the bunch in pursuit of the three leaders.
• The peloton riding in the sun. Happy to leave the rain behind.
• ProTour leader Andre Greipel (High Road) sits in the peloton.
• Clément Lhôtellerie (Skil-Shimano) leads Kjell Carlström (Liquigas).
• The new race leader, Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) is the first Frenchman to lead Paris - Nice since Didier Rous took the jersey also in Saint-Etienne in 2002.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) flanked by Dutchman Robert Gesink (Rabobank).
• Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux) has already shown his good form in the early season and should be one to watch in the coming weeks.

Stage 2 - March 11: Nevers - Belleville, 201km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Gert Steegmans (Quick Step) wins for the second stage in a row.
• Gert Steegmans (Quick Step) celebrates with a little on the bike victory dance.
• Hushovd can only watch as Steegmans powers away to the win.
• Steegmans shows he's the master of the uphill sprint.
• Gert Steegmans (Quick Step) on the top of the stage podium for the second consecutive day.
• A still soggy Gert Steegmans waves happily from the podium.
• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) zips up his third yellow jersey of Paris-Nice.
• Hushovd makes his move attacking with 15km to go.
• Hushovd attacked on the descent to the finish but got a hunger knock and couldn't hold it.
• Hupond took three of the four mountain sprints before being caught by the front chase group.
• Hupond gained more than 15 minutes but lost it all on the hilly final section of stage two.
• It was a long day for Theirry Hupond as he rode the better part of the stage alone.
• Bjoern Schroeder (Milram) and Robert Wagner (Skil-Shimano) were feeling a bit punchdrunk from all the rain.
• Fans cheer on the lone breakaway Thierry Hupond (Skil-Shimano).
• The peloton speeds past the sodden French countryside.
• Remy Di Gregorio (FdJ) stares distractedly into space as fans ogle his bike.
• Fumi Beppu (Skil-Shimano) before the start.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Hushovd launched an attack on the descent toward the finish, and was joined by three riders - Steegmans, Chavanel and Albasini.
• Gert Steegmans' clear rain vest fortunately shows the Quick Step logo for his second victory.
• A group of four detached themselves on the final descent and Steegmans was fastest.

Stage 1 - March 10: Amilly - Nevers, 184.5km

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Images by AFP Photo

• The race on a wet day in France.
• Riding in the pack: Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) on stage one.
• Norwegian Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) keeps cool and in the lead after two days.
• Bernhard Eisel (High Road) leads the escape group.
• Niki Terpstra (Team Milram) rides in the middle of Peter Velits (Team Milram) and Bernhard Eisel (High Road) (r).
• Jérôme Pineau (Bouygues Telecom) keeps alert and goes on to finish second for the day.
• 27 year-old Belgian Gert Steegmans (Quick Step) takes stage one of the Paris-Nice.
• Belgian Gert Steegmans (Quick Step) won Monday's Paris-Nice stage stage over Jérôme Pineau (Bouygues Telecom) and overall leader Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole).
• Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) is kissed on the podium as he maintains the overall lead.
• Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) keeps the yellow jersey at the end of a wet day two.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• The Belgian Steegmans wins despite feeling sure he would be caught in the long uphill sprint.
• Gert Steegmans (Quick Step) took a nice win on a lousy day.
• Steegmans wins by bike lengths after starting his sprint with 350m to go.
• Hushovd made the front split when the peloton broke up in the cross winds.
• Quick Step splits the bunch in the cross winds.
• Hushovd was given a yellow jacket so that the race leader could be warm and still recognized at the same time.
• Thor Hushovd finishes in the sunshine but the rain hadn't quite stopped.

Images by Jean-François Quénet

• Big media attention around Thor Hushovd at the false start of Amilly.
• Thor Hushovd enjoys life in yellow.
• Thor Hushovd also leads the points competition
• Andriy Grivko was given the white jersey of best young rider by former world champion Luc Leblanc.

Images by Florian and Susanne Schaaf/cyclingpictures.de

• Peter Velits (l) and Nikki Terpstra from team Milram are fighting the bad weather in France.
• The peloton with yellow jacket Thor Hushovd in the middle is riding up an incline. Any uphill was appreciated as it offered a chance to get the body warm.
• Fränk Schleck (Team CSC), Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) and Fumiyuki Beppu (Skil-Shimano) from left to right, are out of the saddle as they battle the rain drops and the slope.

Prologue - March 9: Amilly - Amilly, 4.6km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Bradley McGee (Team CSC) on his way to finishing fourth for the day.
• Markel Irizar (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was the surprise of the opening day of Paris-Nice.
• Markel Irizar (Euskaltel-Euskadi) rode to a strong second place behind winner Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole).
• USA's Danny Pate (Slipstream Chipotle - H30) finished sixth.
• Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) takes the first leader's jersey.
• Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) takes the first leader's jersey.
• Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) salutes the crowd after winning the prologue and taking the leader's jersey of the Paris-Nice.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• José Angel Gomez Marchante (Saunier Duval-Scott) dressed for the cool weather.
• 'Tintin' Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) finished 77th for the day.
• German Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) is focused.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) gives it gas in the opening day of Paris-Nice.
• Italian Leonardo Bertagnolli (Liquigas) off and running for the first day of Paris-Nice.
• Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) gives it the gas in the opening day of the Paris-Nice.
• Norwegian Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) presented as the prologue winner.
• Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) likes the fit of the leader's jersey.
• It fits. Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) is the first leader of the 2008 Paris-Nice.
• Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) salutes the crowd after his prologue win.

Images by Jean-François Quénet

• Simon Gerrans (Crédit Agricole) will be a precious team-mate for Thor Hushovd in the coming days.
• Bobby Julich (Team CSC) is the only former winner of Paris-Nice back on the start list.
• Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) claimed his second win of the year in Amilly.
• Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) happy in yellow.

Images by Florian & Susanne Schaaf/cyclingpictures.de

• Markel Irizar (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was the surprise of the day.
• German Jens Voigt (Team CSC) give it the juice.