Paris-Nice Prologue – Live Coverage Replay

Good day and welcome to VeloNews’ Live Coverage of the 68th edition of Paris-Nice, the 2010 “Race to the Sun.” It’s good to be back at the Live Update control panel.

For those familiar with our presentation, you can see that you can add comments. Your placement of a comment, of course, doesn’t ensure that it will appear in our feed, but I do try to read them all and will do my best to include some of them and even personally answer as many questions I can.

This year’s Paris-Nice begins with an 8-kilometer individual prologue time trial in Montfort-l’Amaury. Montfort-l’Amaury is about 20km southwest of Paris (just like Paris-Roubaix doesn’t actually start in Paris, Paris-Nice usually kicks off at the edge of town).

A cagey rider may want to try and turn in a strong time on the day’s only rated climb – a 0.6km, 6-percent rise, that earns a Category 3 rank. KOM points will be calculated by clocking riders over the officially demarcated stretch of the climb. The rider with the fastest time over that stretch will have the honor of wearing the climber’s jersey in tomorrow’s stage, a 201.5km race from Saint Arnoult en Yvelines to Contres.

Today’s weather is on the chilly side, with temperatures hovering above freezing. Right now, the temperature is around 3 degrees Celsius (38F) and winds hitting 30kph. It’s something of a tradition for this race to start in crappy weather and gradually make the transition to the warm and pleasant climes of the French Riviera (hence the moniker “Race to the Sun”).

There are a 176 riders in this edition of Paris-Nice.

At this point 73 riders have left the start house. 61 of them have finished. Liquigas’ Peter Sagan has turned in the best time thus far, covering the course in 11:06. We suspect that there will be better times coming up soon.

Here’s a look at the start times from the biggies coming up later this afternoon:
131. Jakob Fuglsang, starts at 3:50 p.m.
132. David Lopez Garcia, starts at 3:51 p.m.
133. Simon Geschke, starts at 3:52 p.m.
134. Jimmy Casper, starts at 3:53 p.m.
135. Johnny Hoogerland, starts at 3:54 p.m.
136. Amaël Moinard, starts at 3:55 p.m.
137. Serge Pauwels, starts at 3:56 p.m.
138. Cyril Gautier, starts at 3:57 p.m.
139. Joaquim Rodriguez, starts at 3:58 p.m.
140. Simone Ponzi, starts at 3:59 p.m.
141. Romain Sicard, starts at 4:00 p.m.
142. Christian Vandevelde, starts at 4:01 p.m.
143. Christophe Riblon, starts at 4:02 p.m.
144. Janez Brajkovic, starts at 4:03 p.m.
145. Koos Moerenhout, starts at 4:04 p.m.
146. Sandy Casar, starts at 4:05 p.m.
147. Philippe Gilbert, starts at 4:06 p.m.
148. Ted King, starts at 4:07 p.m.
149. Frederik Willems, starts at 4:08 p.m.
150. Maxime Monfort, starts at 4:09 p.m.
151. Dmitriy Fofonov, starts at 4:10 p.m.
152. Sylvain Chavanel, starts at 4:11 p.m.
153. Frank Schleck, starts at 4:12 p.m.
154. Alejandro Valverde, starts at 4:13 p.m.
155. Koen De Kort, starts at 4:14 p.m.
156. Jérôme Coppel, starts at 4:15 p.m.
157. Jens Mouris, starts at 4:16 p.m.
158. Rémi Pauriol, starts at 4:17 p.m.
159. Sylvain Calzati, starts at 4:18 p.m.
160. Pierrick Fedrigo, starts at 4:19 p.m.
161. Serguei Ivanov, starts at 4:20 p.m.
162. Damiano Cunego, starts at 4:21 p.m.
163. Samuel Sanchez, starts at 4:22 p.m.
164. David Millar, starts at 4:23 p.m.
165. Dimitri Champion, starts at 4:24 p.m.
166. Levi Leipheimer, starts at 4:25 p.m.
167. Joost Posthuma, starts at 4:26 p.m.
168. Christophe Le Mevel, starts at 4:27 p.m.
169. Broeck Jurgen Van Den, starts at 4:28 p.m.
170. Heinrich Haussler, starts at 4:29 p.m.
171. Roman Kreuziger, starts at 4:30 p.m.
172. Tony Martin, starts at 4:31 p.m.
173. Alberto Contador, starts at 4:32 p.m.
174. Carlos Barredo, starts at 4:33 p.m.
175. Jens Voigt, starts at 4:34 p.m.
176. Luis-Leon Sanchez, starts at 4:35 p.m.

Here is a quick look at the ten best times at the first – and only – intermediate time check (at the top of that hill we mentioned before):
1. Marco Marcato Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team in 2:28
2. Jos Van Emden Rabobank, in 2:28
3. Peter Sagan Liquigas-Doimo in 2:30
4. Bjorn Leukemans Vacansoleil in 2:32
5. Benat Intxausti Euskaltel – Euskadi in 2:33
6. Stephen Cummings Team Sky in 2:34
7. Dennis Van Winden Rabobank in 2:34
8. Geraint Thomas Team Sky in 2:34
9. Nicolas Maes Quick Step in 2:35
10. Francis De Greef Omega Pharma-Lotto in 2:35

Here’s a look at the top ten at the finish:
1. Peter Sagan Liquigas-Doimo in 11:06
2. Xavier Tondo Cervelo Test Team in 11:07
3. Andriy Grivko Astana in 11:13
4. Geraint Thomas Team Sky in 11:16
5. Svein Tuft Garmin – Transitions in 11:17
6. Benat Intxausti Euskaltel – Euskadi in 11:24
7. Reine Taaramae Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne in 11:24
8. Ivan Gutierrez José Caisse D’epargne in 11:24
9. Craig Lewis Team Htc – Columbia in 11:26
10. Simon Gerrans Team Sky in 11:26

Hello Randy. Hello Nick. We’re all happy to be back. The season is in full swing and we’ll be here with Live Updates throughout Paris-Nice and then with other major events throughout the spring.

Word from the time check is that Lars Boom has set a new best time of 2:27 at time check No.1. The young Rabobank rider is an immense talent. He may not win here today, but he’s certainly going to be up there.

For those of you have not seen it yet, you might take a look at the full start list for this edition of Paris-Nice:
http://velonews.competitor.com/?p=107202

Montfort-l’Amaury is a beautiful little Parisian suburb of about 33,000 residents. It was the home of composer Maurice Ravel, who moved here in 1920 and stayed in a nice little house (now a museum) until his death in 1937. Ravel’s music entered the American pop culture scene when his “Boléro” was used in the movie “10” back in the `80s, but his work was much, much more than the music that accompanied adolescent fantasies of Bo Derek. Indeed, Ravel actually described the composition as a small experiment and not representative of his best work.

For those of you wondering, Chris Horner is slated to start at 3:41 p.m.

Boom has set a new best time at the finish. His 10:56 is a full 10 seconds faster than Sagan’s.

Current top 10
1. Lars Boom Rabobank in 10:56
2. Peter Sagan Liquigas-Doimo in 11:06
3. Xavier Tondo Cervelo Test Team in 11:07
4. Andriy Grivko Astana in 11:13
5. Laurent Mangel Saur-Sojasun in 11:13
6. Geraint Thomas Team Sky in 11:16
7. Svein Tuft Garmin – Transitions in 11:17
8. Richie Porte Team Saxo Bank in 11:18
9. Benat Intxausti Euskaltel – Euskadi in 11:24
10. Reine Taaramae Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne in 11:24

Sorry Cindy,
It’s just part of the consolidation that happened when VeloNews became part of the Competitor Group. I will look into what it might take to get you a feed without being blocked at work (not that we’re encouraging you to ignore the stuff that pays your bills). I will check with our tech guys. You can mail me directly at CPelkey@CompetitorGroup.com. I’ll do my best to help.

Contador is set to start at 4:32 p.m. He is fourth from last to start. I do have a list higher up in today’s updates that covers the last 25 or so riders.

Boom is still the fastest rider to have covered the course today. Horner is coming up soon. Let’s see how he’s feeling.

Here’s a shot of Popovych out on the course. Looks like the AFP photographers are having a bit of fun with shutter speed.

Well, they sure won’t be duking it out in the sprints … but no matter what, on this one we have to find ourselves in agreement with the Manx Missile. Ricco can do what he wants, but we hope not to see too much of the guy this year … or next … or … ever.

Horner is in da HOOOOUUUUSE.

Well, Horner’s time at 1.5km was a 2:38, 11 seconds shy of Boom.

Well, you might have guessed with speeds this moderate that this is not your typical prologue course. Montfort-l’Amaury is a hilly little town with narrow streets and lots of turns.

Tom Danielson just came in with the 10th best time of the day. He’s 27 seconds off of Boom’s time.

Nice. Horner comes through with the 8th best time. Nice ride.

Actually, Horner is in 7th.
1. Lars Boom Rabobank in 00:10:56
2. Peter Sagan Liquigas-Doimo in 00:11:06
3. Xavier Tondo Cervelo Test Team in 00:11:07
4. Andriy Grivko Astana in 00:11:13
5. Laurent Mangel Saur-Sojasun in 00:11:13
6. Geraint Thomas Team Sky in 00:11:16
7. Christopher Horner Team Radioshack in 00:11:16
8. Svein Tuft Garmin – Transitions in 00:11:17
9. Richie Porte Team Saxo Bank in 00:11:18
10. Tiago Machado Team Radioshack in 00:11:23

Now there’s an interesting name: Simone Ponzi is on course. I wonder what he’s scheming for today.

Andre Greipel comes in around 25th. He’s probably going to be the favorite tomorrow and a strong ride today may set him up to move into yellow with a sprint win tomorrow.

Millar will be on course at 4:23 p.m.

Christian Vande Velde is on course now.

Still, Lars Boom sits quite comfortably in the hot seat at the finish. He’s still holding the best time by a good 10-second margin, with a 10:56 to Peter Sagan’s 11:06.

Well, Vande Velde’s time at the first time check was a full 18 seconds down on Boom’s, putting him in 110th. Let’s see how he does at the finish.

Vande Velde comes in with a time of 11:38 … 51st so far.

Valverde leaves the start house.

This might be a course that suits Valverde. He sure is flying.

Frank Schleck (Saxo) came through the first time check with a time of 2:40, 12 seconds off of Boom

Valverde, meanwhile, hit time check No.1 just one second off of Boom’s time. Valverde is now tied for third at that spot.

American Ted King is in. He turned in a time of 11:58, 1:02 down on Boom and good enough for 103rd.

The Current Top-10 at the finish:
1. Lars Boom Rabobank in 10:56
2. Peter Sagan Liquigas-Doimo in 11:06
3. Xavier Tondo Cervelo Test Team in 11:07
4. Janez Brajkovic Team Radioshack in 11:13
5. Andriy Grivko Astana in 11:13
6. Laurent Mangel Saur-Sojasun in 11:13
7. Geraint Thomas Team Sky in 11:16
8. Christopher Horner Team Radioshack in 11:16
9. Svein Tuft Garmin – Transitions in 11:17
10. Richie Porte Team Saxo Bank in 11:18

Millar is on route.

Valverde is in …. 11:25. Not a contender.

Levi Leipheimer is now riding.

Sorry “Guest” … I just meant for the podium today. Of course, Valverde is an overall contender… and a big danger man all week.

Millar’s time at the time check was 12 seconds off of Boom’s, 73rd best.

He apparently fell and broke his collarbone. We did not see it, but that’s the word in the press room.

Leipheimer came through the time check in 2:37, nine seconds off of Boom’s time and 51st best.

HTC’s Tony Martin is now on route.

Contador!

Contador is in a red and gold kit, since he is the Spanish national time trial champion. He’s on route.

Samuel Sanchez conse in with a time 11:11, fifth best of the day. Not bad.

Jens Voigt is one the road. What a great guy.

Millar is in with a time of 11:07 … fourth best of the day.

It’s a new bike. The offending section – near the head tube – has been reworked.

Leipheimer comes in at 11:02. That’s the second best of the day, but not enough to knock Boom out of first.

Contador comes through the time check in 2:33, six seconds off of Boom’s time and 20th best.

Current top ten at the finish:
1. Lars Boom Rabobank in 10:56
2. Levi Leipheimer Team Radioshack in 11:02
3. Peter Sagan Liquigas-Doimo in 11:06
4. Xavier Tondo Cervelo Test Team in 11:07
5. David Millar Garmin – Transitions in 11:08
6. Samuel Sanchez Euskaltel – Euskadi in 11:12
7. Janez Brajkovic Team Radioshack in 11:13
8. Andriy Grivko Astana in 11:13
9. Laurent Mangel Saur-Sojasun in 11:13
10. Rémi Pauriol Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne in 11:16

Cervello’s Hausler comes in with a time of 11:27, 33rd best.

Roman Kreuziger comes through with the seventh best time of the day.

Contador is flying. He’s coming up on his minute man.

Contador is coming to the finish. He’s not going to win the stage, but he’s got third … virtually tied with Leipheimer.

Sanchez is coming in fast. He’ll finish in ninth place.
It looks like Lars Boom is the big man of the day.

And here are the final top 20:
1. Lars Boom Rabobank in 10:56
2. Jens Voigt Team Saxo Bank in 10:59
3. Levi Leipheimer Team Radioshack in 11:02
4. Alberto Contador Astana in 11:02
5. Peter Sagan Liquigas-Doimo in 11:06
6. Xavier Tondo Cervelo Test Team in 11:07
7. David Millar Garmin – Transitions in 11:08
8. Luis-leon Sanchez Caisse D’epargne in 11:09
9. Roman Kreuziger Liquigas-Doimo in 11:09
10. Samuel Sanchez Euskaltel – Euskadi in 11:12
11. Janez Brajkovic Team Radioshack in 11:13
12. Andriy Grivko Astana in 11:13
13. Laurent Mangel Saur-Sojasun in 11:13
14. Rémi Pauriol Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne in 11:16
15. Geraint Thomas Team Sky in 11:16
16. Christopher Horner Team Radioshack in 11:16
17. Svein Tuft Garmin – Transitions in 11:17
18. Richie Porte Team Saxo Bank in 11:18
19. Joaquim Rodriguez Katusha Team in 11:18
20. Jean-christophe Peraud Omega Pharma – Lotto in 11:20

Boom is quite the rider. He’s just 24 years old. He is a former Dutch national TT champion, a former U23 world TT champion. He’s been world champion in cyclocross as a junior, a U23 and as an elite. He has a Vuelta stage to his credit and … well, he’s good.

Thanks for tuning in today folks. It’s always a pleasure doing these and I’m glad that we’ve ramped up the old Live Update machine for another season. Be sure to join us tomorrow, when we cover the 201.5km race from Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines to Contres.

Until tomorrow, folks. Have a good day. Hopefully the weather where you are will allow you to ride a bit yourself.

Take care.