Henderson claims first stage in France
Source: Agencies |
March 10, 2010, Wednesday
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GREG Henderson of New Zealand won a sprint on Monday to take the first stage of the Paris-Nice race in France, and Lars Boom of the Netherlands maintained the overall lead.
Henderson beat Slovenian rider Grega Bole and Jeremy Galland of France to complete the 201.5-kilometer flat stage in 4 hours, 22 minutes, 17 seconds.
"It was a headwind and it was like a slow motion sprint, and I was lucky to get it on the line," Henderson said. "It's beautiful to win here and to win such a beautiful race is a real honor."
Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador fell behind over the last 15 kilometers and then crashed and hurt his leg, but didn't appear seriously injured.
He quickly got back on the bike and finished 25 seconds behind Boom to sit eighth overall.
"I'm worried by the blow I took in the leg," Contador said. "I hope I will be able to start tomorrow's stage."
Boom won the race prologue on Sunday and finished in the main pack with the same time as Henderson and retained the yellow jersey, 5 seconds ahead of German veteran Jens Voigt. British rider David Millar is in third place, 13 seconds back.
Meanwhile, Lance Armstrong said he will take on the Tour de France this year as a better cyclist but is unsure if he can close the gap on reigning champion Alberto Contador.
The seven-times Tour winner returned to competition last year and finished third behind Spaniard Contador in Paris, but suffered a troubled relationship with his then Astana teammate.
Armstrong is back with a new US-funded team Radioshack for 2010.
"Last year I was more about brute force, this year I feel it is more cycling power," Armstrong told Spanish daily El Pais on Monday.
"I'm a better cyclist now. I feel more comfortable in the peloton. Last year, at the start, I was nervous, fearful, at the back, and that's why I fell in Palencia."
As to his chances in the Tour, Armstrong recognized it would be tough for a 38-year-old to beat someone who was still only 27.
"It doesn't look to be in my favor...(but) we'll go to the race and see who is best," Armstrong said.
Henderson beat Slovenian rider Grega Bole and Jeremy Galland of France to complete the 201.5-kilometer flat stage in 4 hours, 22 minutes, 17 seconds.
"It was a headwind and it was like a slow motion sprint, and I was lucky to get it on the line," Henderson said. "It's beautiful to win here and to win such a beautiful race is a real honor."
Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador fell behind over the last 15 kilometers and then crashed and hurt his leg, but didn't appear seriously injured.
He quickly got back on the bike and finished 25 seconds behind Boom to sit eighth overall.
"I'm worried by the blow I took in the leg," Contador said. "I hope I will be able to start tomorrow's stage."
Boom won the race prologue on Sunday and finished in the main pack with the same time as Henderson and retained the yellow jersey, 5 seconds ahead of German veteran Jens Voigt. British rider David Millar is in third place, 13 seconds back.
Meanwhile, Lance Armstrong said he will take on the Tour de France this year as a better cyclist but is unsure if he can close the gap on reigning champion Alberto Contador.
The seven-times Tour winner returned to competition last year and finished third behind Spaniard Contador in Paris, but suffered a troubled relationship with his then Astana teammate.
Armstrong is back with a new US-funded team Radioshack for 2010.
"Last year I was more about brute force, this year I feel it is more cycling power," Armstrong told Spanish daily El Pais on Monday.
"I'm a better cyclist now. I feel more comfortable in the peloton. Last year, at the start, I was nervous, fearful, at the back, and that's why I fell in Palencia."
As to his chances in the Tour, Armstrong recognized it would be tough for a 38-year-old to beat someone who was still only 27.
"It doesn't look to be in my favor...(but) we'll go to the race and see who is best," Armstrong said.
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