Cycling: Maximilian Schachmann (Bora – hansgrohe) won the start of Paris – Nice. The German champion launched his attack at the right moment in the freezing cold and defeated Dylan Teuns (Bahrain - Merida), Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) and Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) in a four-man sprint. With his success on this classic-like course, Maximilian Schachmann also takes the lead in the overall standings.
Only 17 teams are at the start of Paris – Nice 2020
Although the corona virus has not yet spread significantly in France, the Paris – Nice tour is also suffering from the events. The WorldTour teams Astana, CCC, Mitchelton - Scott, Jumbo - Visma, Movistar and Ineos have canceled their participation in the long-distance trip. They will generally not be contesting any races in the coming days. In Paris – Nice this year only 17 teams are at the start. But the start list is still impressive. Because many top drivers, who actually wanted to take part in the Tirreno Adriatico tour, which is taking place at the same time, have now signed up at short notice for the "Race to the Sun" .
Hard-hitting start in classic style
At the start, there was a 154,0 kilometer long and very bumpy course around Plaisir to be mastered near Paris – Nice. A really hard race in classic style was held right from the start. The top duo Jonathan Hivert (Total Direct Energy) and Romain Combaud (Nippo Delko One Provence) was able to gain a four-minute lead on a wet track, but was caught up again far before the finish line. Things really got down to business behind them when the peloton was divided several times, creating exciting constellations in relation to the overall ranking. Bad luck in this phase of the race, among other things Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) and Warren Barguil (Arkea – Samsic). The two Frenchmen fell at an inopportune moment and thus lost touch and thus all hopes of a good placement in the final billing.
Schachmann with perfect timing for the first win of the season
Around 50 kilometers from the finish, 15 men were able to break away from their competitors. A short time later, an even larger group of pursuers managed to reestablish contact. However, at this point have become Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick Step) and Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) already made off. The strong duo was able to extend their lead to just under a minute, while behind them the teams Lotto - Soudal, Bora - hansgrohe and Bahrain - Merida were trying to catch up. This allowed the distance to be significantly reduced in the uncomfortable cold. 4,0 kilometers from the finish Maximilian schachmann (Bora – hansgrohe) and Dylan teuns (Bahrain – Merida) their attack. The duo became a quartet. In the sprint of the four, everything initially looked like a Belgian victory, but then Maximilian Schachmann used the slipstream of his companions with perfect timing - and drove to his first win of the season.
Scoppiettante first tappa della Paris-Nice: se la prende Schachmann with a large sparata nel finale! 🇫🇷💧#EurosportCICLISMO #ParisNice pic.twitter.com/pWlNuuUlaC
- Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) March 8, 2020