Stage 1
Today is the prologue of the 2012 Paris-Nice. My form is very low so it will be impossible for me to win the race. I'm here to loosen up my legs and get ready for the long season. Today's stage is only 9km and completely flat, but the constant rain will make it very slippery and dangerous. I didn't expect to do well with all the talented time trialers here but 32nd was still pretty disappointing.
Zabriskie had a chance to win the stage for us but he missed out by 8 seconds, finishing in 9th place.
José Iván Gutiérrez, who will be working for Valverde this week, was able to beat his team leader and finish in 5th place, with the same time of Zaugg, only 7 seconds back from the winner.
Fothen of Katusha was one of the favorites and did not disappoint, finishing in 3rd, only 4 seconds back.
Thomas Lövkvist was riding for a new, smaller, team but is still favored in the stage, and possibly, the race. The started off strong, finishing 2nd only 2 seconds back.
The strongest time trialer of the stage, was the German TT champion, Tony Martin, who will put on the leaders jersey after setting a great time. He will be a favorite in a lot of time trials this year.
Stage Results
1 Tony Martin Team Columbia - High Road 10'08
2 Thomas Lövkvist Agritubel + 2
3 Markus Fothen Team Katusha + 4
4 Oliver Zaugg Liquigas + 7
5 José Iván Gutiérrez Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
6 Stef Clement Rabobank CT + 8
7 Andriy Grivko Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
8 Thomas Dekker Team Katusha s.t.
9 David Zabriskie Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
10 Michel Kreder Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
11 Vladimir Karpets Team Saxo Bank + 9
12 Jérôme Coppel Française des Jeux + 10
13 Manuel Quinziato Liquigas s.t.
14 Mikhail Ignatiev Astana Cycling Team + 11
15 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 12
16 Damien Monier Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
17 Tom Stamsnijder Rabobank CT + 13
18 Rémi Pauriol Cofidis, le crédit en ligne s.t.
19 Maciej Bodnar Liquigas + 14
20 Wouter Mol Rabobank + 15
21 Lars Boom Rabobank + 16
22 André Steensen Team Saxo Bank s.t.
23 Bartosz Huzarski ISD s.t.
24 Luigi Sestili Liquigas + 20
25 Johan Mombaerts Auber 93 s.t.
26 Nicolas Roche AG2R La Mondiale s.t.
27 Alexander Kvachuk ISD + 21
28 Jos Van Emden Rabobank CT + 22
29 Radoslav Rogina Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team s.t.
30 Maxim Belkov ISD s.t.
31 Thierry Hupond Skil - Shimano s.t.
32 Daniel Martin Garmin - Slipstream s.t.
33 Gert Steegmans Silence - Lotto s.t.
34 Serge Pauwels Quick·Step + 23
35 Kai Reus Rabobank s.t.
36 Rigoberto Urán ISD + 24
37 Tom Boonen Rabobank s.t.
38 Jimmy Engoulvent Auber 93 s.t.
39 Piet Rooijakkers Rabobank CT s.t.
40 Dani Moreno Caisse d'Epargne + 26
They have a monstruous team!
