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March 11, 2010

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Bonnet takes stage, Boom leads overall

WILLIAM Bonnet of France won a sprint on Tuesday to take the second stage of the Paris-Nice race in France, and Lars Boom of the Netherlands maintained the overall lead.

Bonnet surged ahead in the last few meters to beat Peter Sagan of Slovakia at the finish line. Defending champion Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain finished third and moved up to third overall thanks to time bonuses awarded for his podium finish.

"It's the most beautiful win in my career," said Bonnet, who used to be a support rider for Thor Hushovd at Credit Agricole before joining Bbox Bouygues Telecom last season.

"I have more freedom to play my own cards since I joined Bbox," he said. "I hope it's the first great win but that more will follow."

Four riders were involved in a crash near the end of the 201-kilometer stage between Contres and Limoges after Slovenian sprinter Grega Bole fell just in front of Jimmy Casper of France in the last stretch.

Following his crash in the first stage, two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador spent the whole day in the pack and remains 25 seconds behind Boom.

Boom, who won Sunday's prologue, leads the overall standings by five seconds ahead of German rider Jens Voigt. Sanchez is 10 seconds back.

Cyril Gautier of France surged ahead in the last climb only to be reined in four kilometers from the finish.

The race ends on Sunday.


 

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