Arnaud Démare pips Ben Swift to the line to win stage one at Paris-Nice
Ben Swift almost takes the win on stage one of Paris-Nice, but FDJ's Arnaud Démare just beats him on the line
Ben Swift's long sprint looked set to give him the win on stage one of Paris-Nice, but the Team Sky man was beaten on the line by a surging Arnaud Démare (FDJ).
Swift overtook late escapee Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) in the final 100m and had a bike-length lead over his rivals, but the sprint a few metres too long as the Frenchman overtook him in the final metres.
Crosswinds split the peloton in two with 35km to go, with Alexander Kristoff the big name to be caught out by the split, although he later worked his way back to the front.
As if the wind, rain and snow of the early afternoon weren't challenging enough, riders then had to deal with three sectors of gravel roads in the final 17km, which led to a handful of punctures in the peloton.
One of the stage's favourites Marcel Kittel cracked on the final sector and Kristoff couldn't mount a challenge as he struggled with his rear derailleur.
Theuns attacked off the front with 1500m to go, taking the flamme rouge with a decent lead, but in the final 200m the Trek man ran out of steam as the marauding peloton bore down on him.
Swift opened up the sprint first, but Démare beat him for speed on the line, with Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) finishing a close third.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Race leader Michael Matthews took two more bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint, with Geraint Thomas picking up a solitary second.
Paris-Nice stage one, Condé-sur-Vesgre-Vendôme (195k)
1. Arnaud Démare (Fra) FDJ, 4-29-53
2. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky, st
3. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, st
4. Adrien Petit (Fra) Direct Energie, st
5. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge, st
6. Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx-Quick Step, st
7. Sep Vanmarcke (Bel) LottoNL-Jumbo, st
8. Simon Geschke (Ger) Giant-Alpecin, st
9. Jonas Van Genechten (Bel) IAM Cycling, st
10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Team Sky, st
Overall standing after stage one
1. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge, 4-37-30
2. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Giant-Alpecin, at 3s
3. Patrick Bevin (NZl) Cannondale, at 4s
4. Ion Izagirre (Esp) Movistar, at 8s
5. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Team Sky, st
6. Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Astana, at 9s
7. Dries Devenyns (Bel) IAM Cycling, at 10s
8. Richie Porte (Aus) BMC, at 12s
9. Arnaud Démare (Fra) FDJ, at 14s
10. Wilco Keldeman (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo, at 15s
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
‘There's no point to race for 50th place’: Peter Sagan explains why he’s a cycling esports ambassador but won’t compete
As a MyWhoosh ambassador, Sagan admires the sport’s evolution, but does he have the watts to compete with today’s virtual cycling stars?
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
Rapha's loss, your gain: prices slashed sitewide amid profitability concerns
The British clothing brand unveils an almost unheard-of 25% discount across its entire product range
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
Is Lapierre set to make a return to the WordTour?
French bike brand appears set to return to cycling’s top level after 22 year long partnership with Groupama-FDJ ended in 2023
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers hire new head of engineering as reshuffle continues
Former British Cycling lead, Dr Billy Fitton, is the latest of a handful of new appointments within the British squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'There's always wine' - Marc Madiot offers unique dinner experience for fans at Tour de France
Ever wanted to share a bottle of wine with Groupama-FDJ's manager? Now's your chance
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Another year, another annoying choice between Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico
The two premier stage races clashing is a continued bane for all fans of cycling, and points to a bloated sport
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘I feel lucky to be alive’: Magnus Sheffield speaks for the first time about Gino Mäder’s fatal crash
The American describes what he saw at the Tour de Suisse, eight months after the tragedy
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny Published