Paris-Nice: Merlier wins stage 1 - Bora sprinter Bennett second

The Belgian road cycling champion from Soudal - Quick Step after a good 170 kilometres in La Verriere in the west of the French capital in a sprint ahead of the Irishman Sam Bennett from the German team Bora-Hansgrohe through.

Paris-Nice 2023: Pogacar gains an advantage

Merlier also took the lead in the overall standings ahead of Bennett and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), who thanks to a time bonus at the intermediate sprint already had a small advantage over his rival Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) has developed.

>> All stages of Paris-Nice at a glance

On Monday, at the end of the second stage in Fontainebleau, the sprinters should once again decide the winner among themselves. One day later, the overall standings will be reorganised in the team time trial. The "Race to the Sun" will be decided on the two final stages, when the race climbs up to the Col de la Couillole before the successor to last year's absentee winner Primoz Roglic is crowned in Nice on Sunday.

Duel Pogacar vs. Vingegaard

According to the season schedule, the eight-day long-distance race is the only direct clash between Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard and his predecessor and great rival Pogacar before the Tour of France in July. Pogacar showed with victories at the Jaen Paraiso Interior one-day race and the Tour of Andalusia already in strong form. Vingegaard impressed no less when he won all three stages and the overall classification at the O Gran Camino in Galicia.

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