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RACE REPORTS: PARIS-NICE STAGE 2: HAUSSLER CHARGES TO VICTORY
Road Bike Action & AFP
March 9, 2009
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Haussler Sprints to victory in stage two of Paris-Nice
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Germany's Heinrich Haussler, riding for the Cervelo team, prevailed in a sprint for the second stage honors in the Paris-Nice stage race. Spanish rider Alberto Contador, winner of the opening day's time trial,
held on to the leader's yellow jersey despite being held up when his path was blocked by a multiple pile-up less than two kilometers from the finish. Contador benefited from the ruling which neutralizes times when a crash involving several riders occurs three kilometers or less from the line.
Haussler comfortably held off the challenges of Australian Mark Renshaw and Mirco Lorenzetto of Italy in the sprint launched by Belgian rider Jurgen Roelandts. The 195.5km stage was marked by an early break led by Dutch competitor Piet Rooijakkers which at one point enjoyed a seven-minute advantage on the peloton.
Haussler, 25, turned professional in 2005, the year he won a stage on the Tour of Spain. After the stage Haussler said: "The sprint wasn't easy. We were racing into a headwind so I tucked my bike in behind Renshaw and the Columbia team. "I've tried to have a good start to the season with my new team. My aim was to win a stage, now I've done it."
While he has plenty of racing ahead of him this week for one rider, Remi Pauriol, Monday proved the end of the road as the young French cyclist was one of those involved in the mass crash which left him nursing a fractured shoulder and a visit to hospital.
Tuesday's third stage, a 178km run from Orval to Vichy, should once again favor speed specialists.
7th Paris-Nice, March 8-15, 2009
Stage 2:
Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire, 195.5km
March 9, 2009
1. Heinrich Haussler (GER/CTT) 4hr 45min 1sec
2. Mark Renshaw (AUS/THR) s.t.
3. Mirco Lorenzetto (ITA/LAM) s.t.
4. Tom Veelers (NED/SKS) s.t.
5. Murilo Fischer (BRA/LIQ) s.t.
6. Sébastien Chavanel (FRA/FDJ) s.t.
7. Sébastien Hinault (FRA/A2R) s.t.
8. Samuel Dumoulin (FRA/COF) s.t.
9. Romain Feillu (FRA/AGR) s.t.
10. Matthew Hayman (AUS/RAB) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 2
1. Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana 9.3 km in 11min 05sec.
2. Bradley Wiggins (GBR) at 7sec
3. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP) at 9sec
4. Tony Martin (GER) at 11sec
5. David Millar (GBR) at 14sec
6. Joost Posthuma (NED) at 18sec
7. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) at 19sec
8. Antonio Colom (ESP) s.t.
9. Vladimir Karpets (RUS) at 21sec
10. Remi Pauriol (FRA) at 22sec
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