BiciRace.com :: 2005 Paris-Nice

2005 Paris-Nice

Paris-Nice, France

6 - 13 March

Stage 3, Thiers - Craponne-sur-Arzon, 117.5 km (174 km)

9 March 2005

Exciting short stage, Armstrong goes home.

Bad weather continues to hamper European racing with snow shortening today's stage of Paris-Nice. The stage was cut from 174 to 117.5 km. In certain parts of the course it was -3 Celsius.

The sweet victory all came together for the Spaniard Vicente Reynes (Illes Balears) in the uphill sprint. Reynes pulled off his first pro win in the first ever ProTour race. This is a big win for the newcomer Reynes and the Illes Balears squad. Reynes took on such fast men as Guido Trenti (Quick Step), Fred Rodriguez (Davitamon-Lotto) and Jens Voigt (CSC).

Trenti had a solid placing after his leader, Tom Boonen, failed to come through for the sprint. Be on the look-out for the Quick Step team at the upcoming Milano San Remo. Trenti adds to the mix of strong contenders, along with Paolo Bettini and Luca Paolini. Paolini may be more of a non factor after suffering recently from knee problems at the GP Lugano.

Lance Armstrong (Discovery) made a quick exit after the cold stage finish in Craponne-sur-Arzon. Armstrong's first race of the year did not go so well, and now he intends on heading to his home base in Spain to recover and prepare for the upcoming Paris-Camembert (29 March) and Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen) (3 April).

Stage 4, Saint-Peray - Montélimar, 101 km

10 March 2005

Fabian Cancellara wins and takes the lead overall on another snowy stage.

Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) took over the lead today from Tom Boonen (Quick Step) on a sunny day without any snow. The leader board is still tight heading into tomorrows stage which takes the riders up to the top of Mont Faron. Tomorrow we should see a complete change up in the general classification. Moving further and further towards the South the riders have to be welcoming the warm temperatures but fearing Mont Faron.

Stage 5, Rognes - Toulon (Mont-Faron), 172.5 km

11 March 2005

Full length stage, Simoni with a Mont Faron win

The big news today was a full length stage with no snow and it finished on the famous Mont Faron. It was last year in the Paris-Nice that there was an unpopular Team Time Trial up this same mountain. This year it was a normal stage and all the favorites were out to make some significant time gains on their rivals. Jens Voigt was the favorite heading to the stage after his win on Mont Faron in the Tour of Mediterranean only a month ago.

The main break of the day went at 27K with Marco Serpellini (Gerolsteiner), Matt Hayman (Rabobank), Nicolas Jalabert (Phonak), Nicolas Fritsch (Saunier Duval). But it was due to the efforts of Liberty Seguros and Davitamon-Lotto to bring back the break before the final famous climb began at 5.5 km to go. And just like clockwork at the foot of Mont Faron a peloton of approximately 25 riders were together less the big names of Floyd Landis (Phonak) and Yaroslav Popoyvych (Discovery). The thinning out began and towards the top with only 2K to go the notables were Voigt (CSC), Jakscshe (Liberty), Evans (Lotto), Moncoutie (Cofidis), Rebellin (Gerolsteiner), Simoni (Lampre), Piepoli (Saunier Duval). But it was former Giro d'Italia champion Gilberto Simoni who got away and held off the other climbers with a margin of 20 seconds showing that he is the man on form. Evans took second and David Moncoutie third. Bobby Julich (CSC) now is in the lead overall and will be defending the yellow jersey for the next two days on his home roads around Nice.

Stage 6, La Crau - Cannes, 184k km

12 March 2005

Joost Wins, Julich Hangs on to Leader's jersey

A very hilly stage today made for a tough race. Perhaps it was the nice weather and the views of the Mediterranean sea that kept the riders going.

On the last climb with 20K to go to the finish, there were groups all over the road. The 23 year-old Dutchman, Joost Posthuma (Rabobank) was at the head of affairs. He powered away for the last 20K to the finish line with Jorg Ludewig (Domina Vacanze) on his back. Joost was able to hold a steady 15 second gap ahead of Ludewig, while even adding to it, (with a little help of a tailwind) thus proving to be a strong youngster. Joost got himself a fine win, while CSC controlled the peloton for Bobby Julich. Julich was able to keep his leader's jersey, but he's still got the likes of Constantino Zaballa (Saunier Duval) and Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears) breathing down his neck aiming to spoil his overall victory.

Tomorrow's stage starts and ends in Nice and should Bobby hang on to win the overall, it will be a great win for his career. He will have his work cut out for him as there are three cat one climbs before the final decent into Nice.

Results:
1 Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank 4.41.24
2 Jorg Ludewig (Ger) Domina Vacanze 1.11
3 Aaron Kemps (Aus) Liberty Seguros-Würth 1.43

GC
1 Bobby Julich (USA) Team CSC 19.03.44
2 Constantino Zaballa (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 0.19
3 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d'Epargne 0.20

Stage 7, Nice - Nice, 135 km

13 March 2005

Alejandro wins, Bobby overall

Always the opportunist, Alejandro Valverde of Illes Balears capped his Paris-Nice experience with a fine ProTour win on the Nice's Promenade Anglais. Like last year, CSC has been utterly dominating in this year's running of Paris-Nice. Jens Voigt went in to the race as CSC's GC man, but it was a very strong and confident Bobby Julich that ended up winning the GC for undoubtedly his finest career victory.
- Paco

results: 3 hrs, 28 mins
1 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d'Epargne
2 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas-Bianchi
3 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Fassa Bortolo

Final GC
Bobby Julich (USA) Team CSC