Paris-Nice 2 : Gorka 17th

The first stage of Paris-Nice was shortened to 93 kilometres due to the bad weather and rain. On the first and only climb of then day Dioni Galparsoro took the 4 mountain classification points and will ride in the polka dot jersey tomorrow. Three escapers escaped : Velits, Terpstra and Eisel but the peleton was split due to the heavy wind. The first peloton chased the three escapers down and with the 32 of them they sprinted for the victory. Gert Steegmans won impressively before Pineau and Hushovd. Only Gorka Verdugo managed to get in that groupe and became 17th. Haimar, Dioni, Igor, Markel and Beñat were all in the second groupe, 2:37 down and we could see that they did the chasing work in that groupe. In the general rank Gorka is 17th and Haimar 70th but of course everything will be decided on the Mont Ventoux.

Results
1 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quick Step 2.21.29
2 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom +0.02
3 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole +0.02
...
17. Gorka Verdugo +0:02
40. Haimar Zubeldia +2:37
44. Dionisio Galparsoro +2:37
50. Igor Anton +2:37
55. Markel Irizar +2:37
77. Beñat Albizuri +2:48
99. Lander Aperribai +6:32
107. Aitor Hernandez +6:32

General Rank
1 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 2.26.55
2 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quick Step +0.06
3 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom +0.12
...
17. Gorka Verdugo +0:27
40. Markel Irizar +2:43
58. Igor Anton +3:04
70. Haimar Zubeldia +3:12
74. Dionisio Galparsoro +3:21
75. Beñat Albizuri +3:37
122. Aitor Hernandez +7:07
130. Lander Aperribai +7:16