The Mediterranean Sea welcomed the peloton of Paris-Nice with arms wide open. Sun, magnificent landscapes, the southern heat added to a strong Mistral wind that had its importance on the day’s stage between La Crau and Cannes. Indeed the pace was fast immediately from the start with quite a few breakaways in the first kilometres. At kilometre 7, Kemps (LSW), Ziegler (GER), Schmitz (TMO), Posthuma (RAB), Lotz (QST), Sanchez (FDJ), Ludewig (DOM) and Dessel (A2R) managed to break away from the pack and increase their advantage. At the top of the Col de Taillude (Cat 3 – Km 33), Ludewig grabbed the most mountain points ahead of Schmitz and Posthuma while the peloton remained 3’40 adrift. Under the influence of the wind, the escapees maintained a good pace and saw the gap grow on the main bunch to 4’40’’ after 42,9 kilometres completed after an hour of racing. At the intermediate sprint of La Garde-Freinet (km 55,5), Ludewig, again, beat Sanchez and Lotz as the slightly closer at 4’20’’.

At the bottom of the Côte de Taradeau (Cat 2 – km 81), the leaders increased their advance again and in the first uphill portions of the day’s second difficulty could count on a 4’50’’ advantage. Dessel made it first at the top of the climb ahead of Lotz, Posthuma, Schmitz and Ziegler. Behind, the CSC team controlled the peloton, left 4’40” adrift. The gap remained the same (4’35”) when the escapees made it at the top of the Côte des Tuillières (Cat 2 – km 95,5) led by Ludewig in front of Dessel, Posthuma, Kemps and Ziegler. At the entry of the feeding zone of Callas (km 101,5) the front men had a 4’40’’ lead on the peloton that seemed more concerned about maintaining a decent gap than really catching the escapees. However in the lead of the race, every rider made the proper efforts and the gap grew to 6’20’’ at the Col de Saint Arnoux ( Cat 3 – km 118,5). Dessel made it there first ahead of Ludewig and Lotz while the peloton remained 6’ adrift.

At the bottom of the Col de Bourigaille ( Cat 1 – km 130 ) the escapees really started the fight with some giving it a go and others dropping out of the group. The collaboration that had worked so well stopped and the gap naturally dropped down to 5’15” halfway up the climb. Ludewig attacked again while Sanchez was no longer able to keep up with the pace. In the leading positions of the pack, Schleck (CSC), Danielson (DSC), Rodriguez (SDV) and Kasheshkin (CA) tried to counter-attack which made the peloton react and ease closer at 4’10’’. At the top of the climb, Ludewig made it first ahead of Dessel, Posthuma, Lotz, Schmitz, Kemps and Sanchez. But the followers moved closer, 3’20’’ behind. In the downhill, the escapees again saw their advantage slightly grow. At the entry of the village of Tourettes (km 138,5), the gap was of 3’50’’. In the peloton, Gilbert (FDJ) and Hulsmans then decided to give it a go and found themselves 3’35’’ adrift while the peloton remained at 4’10’’ at the exit of Fayence (Km 139,5). At the intermediate sprint of Montauroux (km 149), Kemps beat Lotz and Dessel. The two counter-attacking riders were at 3’10’’ and the peloton at 4’10’’.

Once again, Ludewig took off in the lead, but this time, no one managed to remain in his wheel. His lead on his 7 former companions grew to 25’’ at the bottom of the Col du Tanneron (Cat 2 – km 163,5). Posthuma was then to be caught by Posthuma. Meanwhile, Gilbert and Hulsmans were caught back by the pack. At the top of the climb, Posthuma beat Ludewig. With 20 kilometres to go, the following group broke apart while the peloton was 2’30’’ adrift. This time Posthuma broke clear in the downhill managing to distance Ludewig.

Getting closer to the finish, Posthuma extended his advantage. He eventually won alongside the sea with a 40” lead on Ludewig.

Julich, who finally made it to the line in the main pack, keeps his overall leader’s jersey. Suspense remains however before the final stage and the finish on the Promenade des Anglais, with the same leading eight.

Bobby Julich (Team CSC – overall leader)

“ For a first day with the yellow jersey, it went very well. I hadn’t carried the leader’s jersey on a race for quite some time. Thanks to the great work of my fantastic team, it was one of the most pleasant day of the race. They put me in the best possible conditions before the final stage. I know tomorrow’s stage by heart: the Promenade des Anglais and all the climbs that I ride on during the year. Even if I don’t live in Nice during the whole year because of the competitions, I feel half Niçois. I hope to have the yellow jersey tomorrow evening.”