© A.S.O. / Jean-Christophe MOREAU
Expectations were high and he surpassed them all, going straight in at the top: David Millar made it back to the top of a big podium when he won the prologue, in one fell swoop wiping out three years of doubt and ambiguity.
© A.S.O. / Jean-Christophe MOREAU
In the first two stages the focus was on France – the château de Chambord…
© A.S.O. / Jean-Christophe MOREAU
… – and the French: Jean-Patrick Nazon, who won the sprint in Buzançais…
© A.S.O. / Jean-Christophe MOREAU
… and then Thomas Voeckler and Stéphane Augé, breakaways for 120 km, but who were unable to prevent Franco Pellizotti from winning and taking Millar’s place.
© A.S.O. / Jean-Christophe MOREAU
The Mende stage was a decisive one: a flying winner, Alberto Contador was already a threat to Davide Rebellin, the new leader. The following day, Yaroslav Popovych launched the Discovery Channel team’s offensive and triumphed in a well deserved win in Manosque
© A.S.O. / Jean-Christophe MOREAU
On the Saturday, the big favourites fought it out in the Tanneron: Rebellin quelled the zeal of Contador, leaving the stage victory to Luis Sanchez.
© A.S.O. / Jean-Christophe MOREAU
But the Italian was toppled on the last day; the Spanish rider’s acrobatics on the slopes of the col d’Eze were a stunning tour de force, allowing him to win by a razor’s edge the 65th edition of Paris-Nice. The second Spaniard after Miguel Indurain to conquer Paris-Nice, Contador triumphs magnificently over the race: the Promenade des Anglais is now under Spanish control!
