As it happened: late catch sees stage one Paris Nice end in a bunch sprint

And Luke Lamperti takes the win!

2026-03-08T15:55:24.536Z

EF are leading out the sprint for Lamperti.

There’s a crash in the peloton, some are held up.

2026-03-08T15:54:15.987Z

That’s it, with 1300m left to ride, the last of the break is caught. We’re going to have a sprint!

2026-03-08T15:53:41.890Z

Pedersen and Gringard are still out there, but the sprinter teams are winding up their lead-out trains now.

2026-03-08T15:53:14.352Z

The looks like it’s it. Some riders in the break have sat up and been reabsorbed, with 2km left to ride.

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They’re bravely fighting on, and still have 6 seconds with 3km to go.

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Now just 7 seconds with 4km to go. It’s close, but advantage peloton.

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Still it’s Visma who lead the peloton. They’re protecting Vingegaard for GC, but might also fancy the chances of Axel Zingle in the sprint.

The five leader are still working well together, but their lead is being eaten away. It’s now just 12 seconds.

2026-03-08T15:48:55.127Z

Still the gap remains at 20 seconds with 6km to go.

2026-03-08T15:47:48.754Z

It looks like we might have a bunch sprint after all.

2026-03-08T15:47:32.743Z

The peloton are getting their act together, and under the pace by Visma-Lease a Bike the gap has come down to 20 seconds with 7km to go.

2026-03-08T15:46:31.013Z

At the front, Le Berre has been brought back by the other four riders. Durbridge, however, has not returned.

2026-03-08T15:45:56.019Z

Pacher and Delbove have been brought back. The peloton is all back together.

There’s still hope for the break! Despite the gap coming down on the climb, it remains at just under 30 seconds with just 10km left to ride.

2026-03-08T15:44:58.821Z

Now there are counter-attacks on the flat after the summit. Pacher has gone clear with Delbove.

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They’re brought back by the peloton.

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Attacks in the peloton! Costiou and Baudin go clear, and crest the climb a bit ahead of the peloton.

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Le Berre crests the climb with a small gap over the rest.

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Le Berre attacks, and has a gap over the others.

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Durbridge has been dropped out of the break on this climb.

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In the peloton it’s the GC teams rather than the stage-hunters who are riding at the front onto the climb. They’ll go at a steady pace rather than a fast one, with no interest in bringing this break back.

2026-03-08T15:41:05.583Z

The breakaway riders are climbing the Côte de Chanteloup-les-Vignes for the last time today. Will they keep working together, or will attacks be made?

2026-03-08T15:40:23.388Z

The gap is starting to come down now, to 50 seconds with just 12km to go, as they approach the final climb.

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Jayco have the numerical advantage with both Gamper and Durbridge in the break, so would be in great position if they can work together to work over the rest.

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If the break can succeed in holding off the peloton, which of the 6 riders should we expect to take the stage win?

Casper Pedersen has been the strongest on the climbs, and is a fast finisher, but might he have worn out energy in sprinting for the KOM points?

2026-03-08T15:37:01.413Z

The break’s lead is still hovering at around one minute, with just 15km left to ride.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

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New teams are taking part in the peloton’s chase now, notably Cofidis who have sprinters Fretin and Coquard in their line-up.

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The breakaway hears the bell as they cross the finish line for the final lap. The race is on!

2026-03-08T15:33:25.088Z

Mechanical for Pascal Ackermann, who has had to stop and change bikes. He is one of the riders who’d fancy his chances in a bunch sprint finish, though two of his Jayco teammates are up the road in the break.

The pace increase in the peloton hasn’t had much of an effect yet, with the gap remaining 1:20. Does the break have a genuine chance of surviving?

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-08T15:26:52.441Z

Carlos Rodríguez has had to stop briefly with a flat.

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Here’s what the KOM rankings look like now, with one more ascent of the Côte de Chanteloup-les-Vignes left:

1 Pedersen 9 points

2 Le Berre 5 points

3 Walker 3 points

2026-03-08T15:24:46.118Z

Now things are getting serious in the peloton. NSN have taken over at the front again and upped the pace.

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The break still has a lead of 1:25, therefore. They haven’t lost of hope of surviving to the finish just yet.

2026-03-08T15:23:10.895Z

The GC teams have taken control at the front of the peloton as they crest the climb, specifically Visma and Lidl. The pace is steady and controlled rather than fast, though.

..and Pedersen takes the points, again, ahead of Le Berre and Gamper. That will seal the KOM jersey for him.

2026-03-08T15:21:33.919Z

Pedersen sprints for the KOM points in the break…

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Affini is dropped from the peloton, having done his job of looking after teammate Vingegaard on the flat.

2026-03-08T15:20:42.633Z

There’s not a huge amount of urgency in the peloton as they begin the climb.

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The break are on the climb now, the Jayco pair riding at the front.

The gap’s grown out to 1:40 – but that might change soon as they approach the foot of the climb.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-08T15:13:38.820Z

The Côte de Chanteloup-les-Vignes is the steepest of the day, averaging 8.3% for 1.1km, and could be the moment where the stage is won or lost. Can any attackers go clear? Will the sprinter teams manage to control the race? And which sprinters will be dropped out of contention on the climb?

2026-03-08T15:12:09.579Z

The riders are crossing the finish line for the first time, ahead of two laps of the finishing circuit, each featuring an ascent of the Côte de Chanteloup-les-Vignes.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Despite the attacks on the climb, the break is still working well together, and holding a lead of about 1:10.

2026-03-08T15:01:32.162Z

Here are the updated KOM rankings. Pedersen is looking good to be in the climber’s jersey on the podium later this afternoon at this rate.

1 Pedersen 6 points

2 Le Berre 3 points

3 Walker 3 points

2026-03-08T14:59:52.567Z

Walker took the final point on offer at the top of the climb; and, having taken what they attacked for, Pedersen and Le Berre have been brought back by the rest of the break.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Pedersen wins the two-up sprint for the points at the top of the climb. Le Berre had no answer to his acceleration.

2026-03-08T14:55:59.707Z

Pedersen has followed Le Berre and the pair are clear from the rest.

2026-03-08T14:55:32.845Z

Mathis Le Berre has attacked out of the break. It looked like he was struggling to hold on, but was in fact giving himself space to wind up an attack and take the others by surprise.

We’re climbing again, this time up the 6.8% slopes of the 1.3km Côte de Vaux-sur-Seine. The peloton is just over one minute behind the leaders.

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Uno- Mobility are prominent at the front of the bunch, perhaps working for Rasmus Tiller, a fast finisher who is also capable of a punchy attack.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-08T14:48:47.228Z

Mechanical for Marc Soler, who had to change bikes. He might have more freedom to ride for himself later in the race, since his expected team leader João Almeida is not riding.

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The tension is palpable – the riders will have to be careful not to crash.

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The peloton is again spread all across the road, and the pace is notably up as the fight for position picks up.

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The next climb of the day, Côte de Vaux-sur-Seine, is not for another 12km.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

The peloton has also crested the climb, and remain about 1:15 behind the breakaway after pressing on too hard on it.

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The rankings at the top of the climb:

1 Pedersen 3 points

2 Walker 2 points

3 Le Berre 1 point

Walker sprinted for the points at the top of the climb, but was pipped to the line by Pedersen. It wasn’t an overly intense sprint, but both riders were seeking the points.

2026-03-08T14:31:31.886Z

The peloton are also climbing, with NSN and Picnic-PostNL resuming control.

2026-03-08T14:30:02.131Z

The break have started climbing the Côte de Gargenville, 1:15 ahead of the peloton.

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There’s no one team in control of the peloton at the moment, with lots of different coloured jerseys massing towards the front.

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Not long now until the riders take on the first of the day’s four climbs. The Côte de Gargenville is the gentlest of the four, averaging only 4.7%, but is also the longest at 2.3km, and will begin the wearing down process.

As we near the first climb of the day, the gap between the peloton and the leaders have come down a little, to 1:15. The race is soon to start heating up.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-08T14:18:33.421Z

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The race remains in a holding pattern, with the break’s lead still at about 1:30.

2026-03-08T14:12:16.841Z

The season is really hotting up now – yesterday was Strade Bianche, today sees the start of Paris-Nice, and tomorrow the other great early season stage race gets going – Tirreno-Adriatico. Have a read of our rundown of which riders you should be keeping an eye on there.

The break’s lead has risen some more, up to about 1:45.

2026-03-08T13:54:44.335Z

There’s been another crash in the peloton, this time with multiple riders involved.

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João Almeida was down to ride Paris-Nice, but withdrew days before, meaning Brandon McNulty has a rare opportunity to lead UAE Team Emirates-XRG. He has good form at this race, finishing third in 2024, and given the record of his team in stage races, must be considered among the top favourites for overall victory.

Still the break’s lead remains at about 1:30.

2026-03-08T13:44:26.540Z

Iván Romeo used an uphill attack as the foundation for his overall victory at the Ruta del Sol earlier this year, suggesting he has the legs to try something – but that result also makes it less likely he’ll be given any leeway to do so.

2026-03-08T13:42:12.770Z

There’s been a crash in the peloton, with Toms Skujiņš going down and needing a new bike. Along with teammate Mathias Vacek, he’s another rider who could potentially attack on the climbs, though that fall makes such a move less likely.

2026-03-08T13:40:12.733Z

Laurence Pithie is the kind of rider we can look out for to try such a move. Though a quick sprinter, he’s unlikely to challenge in a big bench sprint, but has the explosiveness to potentially go clear on the hills, and was on promising form during Opening Weekend.

2026-03-08T13:36:30.950Z

With four climbs in the final 70km, including two ascents of the 1.1km, 8.3% Côte de Chanteloup-les-Vignes, a bunch spring is far from guaranteed. While perhaps not hard to draw the GC contenders into attacks, there must be some explosive puncheurs who sense an opportunity to go clear and chase the stage win.

2026-03-08T13:32:43.619Z

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The peloton seems to have eased up, as the break’s lead has grown to 1:30 – the highest it’s been all day.

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Another pure fast finisher in the bunch is Phil Bauhaus. At his best he’d be difficult to beat in this field, but hasn’t finished higher than fifth yet this season, and is the kind of rider who would struggle in the hills.

2026-03-08T13:24:15.271Z

Although Cofidis have not joined NSN or PicnicPost-NL setting the pace in the peloton, they have two contenders for the stage win in Milan Fretin and Bryan Cocquard (pictured below, at the start earlier today). The former was sprinting well at Ruta del Sol, where he won a stage, while the latter’s ability to navigate the climbs was on display at his victory at GP La Marseillaise.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The gap has grown out a little again, from 40 seconds to about one minute. The peloton can’t want to make the catch too early.

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For PicnicPost-NL, Casper van Uden is arguably the purest fast sprinter here at Paris-Nice, with a Grand Tour sprint stage win to his name at the Giro d’Italia from last year. He’s had a slow start to the season, however, and failed to get in the mix for the sprints at the UAE Tour.

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For NSN, Biniam Girmay has been in terrific sprinting form this season, winning bunch sprints at Volta Comunitat Valenciana and the Clasica de Almeria. If there’s a worry, it’s that he wasn’t climbing at his best during Opening Weekend, and therefore might struggle on today’s uphills, but normally this is the kind of terrain he thrives in.

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The presence of NSN and PicnicPost-NL at the front of the peloton certainly suggests that they believe they can control the race for a bunch sprint.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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So how can we expect this stage to unfold? While there are a number of punchy hills in the finale to aid attackers, with the last crested just 10km from the finish, there is still a chance that the race comes down to a bunch sprint.

2026-03-08T13:05:45.350Z

Another view of the day’s break, which remains out front for now.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The gap’s come down some more, to just 40 seconds. At this rate the catch could be made soon.

2026-03-08T13:01:06.081Z

It looks like Walker is going to rejoin the break before long.

2026-03-08T13:00:05.726Z

One of the riders in the break, Max Walker, has had a puncture.

2026-03-08T12:59:05.671Z

The peloton really isn’t hanging about. Here are the riders all strung out in a long line, and the work being done has brought the gap to the break down to within one minute.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The breakaway is retaining its lead of just over one minute, but that gap isn’t being allowed to grow any bigger by a stingy peloton.

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…and the peloton chasing behind

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Here’s the breakaway up the road…

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-08T12:43:48.360Z

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Picnic-PostNL andJayco-AlUla’s work at the front of the peloton is keeping this break well under control, at just over a minute.

2026-03-08T12:34:37.226Z

Picnic-PostNL are assisting Jayco-AlUla at the front of the peloton. That would suggest they fancy their chances of ensuring a bunch sprint finish today, with their man Casper van Uden.

2026-03-08T12:33:01.987Z

With two riders in the break, and Kelland O’Brien already abandoned, there are just four Jayco-AlUla riders left in the peloton at the moment.

2026-03-08T12:31:11.823Z

The six riders at the head of the race.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-08T12:29:55.906Z

NSN have taken control of the bunch, and are keeping the six leaders on a tight leash for now. They are presumably controlling things for their sprinter Biniam Girmay, who is one of the fastmen who could survive the day’s punchy climbs.

2026-03-08T12:28:25.459Z

Grignard, Pedersen and Max Walker (all pictured here) were the first to initiate the move, before being joined by the other three.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-08T12:24:53.721Z

These are the 6 riders in the lead group:

Patrick Gamper (Jayco-AlUla)

Luke Durbridge (Jayco-AlUla)

Casper Pedersen (Soudal-QuickStep)

Max Walker (EF Education-EasyPost)

Sébastien Grignard (Lotto Intermarché)

Mathis Le Berre (TotalEnergies)

The lead’s up to 1:10. This might be our break of the day.

2026-03-08T12:22:05.694Z

Six riders have formed a group, and are in a promising position – they’ve grown a lead of 45 seconds from themselves back to the peloton.

2026-03-08T12:18:52.131Z

Multiple attacks are being made, but nothing is sticking just yet. At the moment three riders lead the race by a small margin, with others trying to join them.

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The riders in the neutralised zone, just before the flag dropped.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-08T12:16:14.762Z

The attackers who went clear have been brought back, and the peloton remains together.

2026-03-08T12:15:02.340Z

Terrible news for Jayco-AlUla’s Kelland O’Brien. He must have had some kind of problem, as he has abandoned the race already after just a few kilometres.

2026-03-08T12:12:22.163Z

There are early attacks, with about ten riders having a go.

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The first half of the stage is much flatter than the second, so there are no obvious springboards for the kind of puncheurs we’d expect to compete for the stage win to get into the day’s break.

And they’re off!

2026-03-08T12:06:16.787Z

Here’s the peloton in the neutralised zone.

The weather today might be cloudier than forecasted, but there’s no sign of any rain or, crucially, strong winds.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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The yellow jersey, that Vingegaard and his opponents will spend the next week fighting for.

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2026-03-08T11:56:00.651Z

The riders are in the neutralised zone, and will be racing for real in about a quarter of an hour.

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The star name on the startlist is Jonas Vingegaard. With an exceptional record in stage races and strong team built around him, he’ll be seen as the man to beat, although his form is unknown having had to delay the start of his season, and he’s never before managed to win the yellow jersey at Paris-Nice.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-03-08T11:50:42.813Z

Despite the name of the race, proceedings are not kicking off in Paris exactly, but rather Achères, about 25km to the north-west of the capital. From there they will travel in a north-westernly direction, before looping back via a series of punchy hills for a finish at Carrières-sous-Poissy.

2026-03-08T11:47:24.921Z

After the thrills and spills of yesterday’s Strade Bianche, it’s time for another of the early season staples: Paris-Nice. Since 1933 this race has heralded a transition towards the springtime, and continues that tradition once more this year.

2026-03-03T16:27:38.036Z

Bonjour and welcome to stage one of the 2026 Paris-Nice!