Paris Nice 2008 stage 1

Stage one of the 2008 Paris Nice took the riders 184.5 km from Amilly to Nevers on March 10.

The stormy weather over the UK and France saw the stage shortened and a few riders lost time due to crashes including Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto). Another to fall was David Millar, but he was able to retain a top ten place in the general classification.

Quickstep's Gert Steegmans held off the rest on the steep ascent to the finish at Nevers to win.

1.Gert STEEGMANS QST 2h 21' 29"
2.Jérôme PINEAU BTL 00' 02"
3.Thor HUSHOVD C.A 00' 02"
4.Phillpe GILBERT FDJ 00' 02"
5.Krasten KROON CSC 00' 02"
6.Enrico.FRANZOI Q 00' 02"
7.Mirco LORENZETTO LAM 00' 02"
8.Thomas EISEL THR 00' 02"
9.Davide REBELLIN GST 00' 02"
10.Aleksandr KUSCHYNSKI LIQ 00' 07"

General Classifiaction
1. Thor HUSHOVD61 CREDIT AGRICOLE 2h 26' 55"
2. Gert STEEGMANS151 QUICK STEP 2h 27' 01" + 00' 06"
3. Karsten KROON54 TEAM CSC 2h 27' 07" + 00' 12"
4. Jérôme PINEAU 105 BOUYGUES TELECOM 2h 27' 07" + 00' 12"
5. Andriy GRIVKO 171 TEAM MILRAM 2h 27' 12" + 00' 17"
6. Trent LOWE 185 SLIPSTREAM CHIPOTLE 2h 27' 13" + 00' 18"
7. David MILLAR 181 SLIPSTREAM CHIPOTLE 2h 27' 15" + 00' 20"
8. Matteo TOSATTO 158 QUICK STEP 2h 27' 16" + 00' 21"
9. Luis-Leon SANCHEZ 18 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 2h 27' 17" + 00' 22"
10. Johan VAN SUMMEREN 48 SILENCE - LOTTO 2h 27' 19" + 00' 24"

Reaction
Gert Steegman's said of his win; "The stage was shortened due to strong winds - says Steegmans - but this element actually helped me in my victory. At about 40 kilometres from the finish my team mates and I managed to create a fan-formation that took itself and a small group with five Quickstep riders up to the finish line. As well as myself Tosatto, Garate, Cretskens and Efimkin were along with me. My team mates did an extraordinary job in taking me up to the final sprint in the best conditions possible. I am really pleased, it was our objective to win the first stage and we did”.

Milram's Andrey Grivko defended his white jersey as best young rider by finish 21st, and is now fifth overall. His director sportif, Raoul Liegbregts said; "Under these conditions it was clear that without a real sprinter, our only chance was in a breakaway." "The fact that Andrey was able to defend his white jersey just topped the day off."