Sunday, Sunny Sunday…
Paris-Nice is still a renowned cycling race: the prologue attracted a huge crowd on the 5.2-km-route in Issy-les-Moulineaux. As the sun was shining, Lylian Lebreton was the first of the 167 riders to take the start.

On The Road With Nicolas Jalabert!
After Belgian rider Van Petegem (Lotto-Adecco) took the lead, Nicolas Jalabert (CSC Tiscali), the brother of Laurent, put an amazing 7'07'' mark. But a few minutes later, Laszlo Bodrogi put an end to the suspens: 6'56''30.

Mapei, once again…
The main contenders, such as Laurent Jalabert, tried hard to do better; but without success. Didier Rous finished close to the leader (same time, I mean 0.280 sec behind…) Thanks to this short lead, the former Tour de l'Avenir Yellow Jersey (2000), who last year gave to the Mapei squad its 500th pro success, will tomorrow wear the White & Yellow Jersey.

Bodrogi: « I'm not surprised! »
The winner told us: "This success is no surprise to me. I expected to win, despite a handful of top riders was enrolled. The route was hard but I was in such a good shape. The gap with Didier (Rous) is so narrow, I can't belive it. This 60th edition will be a highly coveted one!"

Catching Up With Laurent Fignon.

Question: Laurent Fignon, tell us more about this year's route?
Laurent Fignon: Hard, quite hard. A tricky one! As long as all the riders are really motivated, this Paris-Nice will be a great show and the winner can only be the stronger rider of the pack.

Q: Why do people say that the "Race To The Sun" is a strategic date of the cycling calendar?
LF: Because it's the first major race of the season. As simple as that. It's the first goal of the best teams and, as the past winners lits proves it, Paris-Nice gathers the most renowned champions of the cycling legend. However, as it's an early-season competition, making a prognosis is a risky game…

Q: You're right. By the way, what are your favorites?
LF: Today's result tells nothing. But I think the two former winners Laurent Jalabert and Alex Zülle have good chances. I won't say anything else, because my favorites always loose…

Q: Last but not least, what is your knew role in A.S.O?
LF: All race long, my role will be similar to Bernard Hinault's during the Tour de France: public relations, daily contacts with the race sponsors and… interviews with the medias.