![\"MONTARGIS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/d2SuLXQCd7uLY6FeaRLhP4.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\nRefresh <\/p>\n
2026-03-09T15:06:02.591Z<\/p>\n
Things are very relaxed for now. Riders at the back are enjoying casual conversations with each other.<\/p>\n
2026-03-09T15:05:26.261Z<\/p>\n
The sprint is still 8km away. Surely Braet is going to go for it, but will Lamperti go hard also in defence of his yellow jersey, or reserve his energy for the final sprint at the finish?<\/p>\n
2026-03-09T15:03:48.522Z<\/p>\n
Since the catch was made, the pace is back down in the peloton. Lotto don\u2019t want to burn all their matches before the actual lead-out for the intermediate sprint, and so no team is pushing on for now.<\/p>\n
2026-03-09T15:03:00.501Z<\/p>\n
Pedersen\u2019s day out in front might be over, but he has at least secured the polka-dot jersey for another stage.<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2026-03-09T14:57:05.793Z<\/p>\n
That’s it, the break has been caught.<\/p>\n
2026-03-09T14:56:50.344Z<\/p>\n
There are 6, 4 and points available for the first three riders over the line at the intermediate sprint – that surely is why Lotto have been working.<\/p>\n
2026-03-09T14:55:59.136Z And now just 6 seconds for the 2 leaders, who appear to have given up the ghost.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:54:24.444Z<\/p>\n Just 10 seconds now. They’re going to catch them.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:52:22.319Z<\/p>\n Lotto\u2019s work has brought the two leaders back to within just 20 seconds. If they catch them, then the maximum bonus second will be available to them at the intermediate sprint.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:51:41.262Z<\/p>\n It could be that Lotto have their eye on an intermediate sprint coming up in about 10km With Braet currently lying in second overall just 4 seconds behind Lamperti, and more bonus seconds unavailable on the line at the finish, the Belgian has a chance to get himself into the yellow jersey today.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:50:05.968Z<\/p>\n Lotto Intermarch\u00e9 haven\u2019t just lent a man to take part in the pace-setting, but have a whole long line of riders leading at the front. It\u2019s a committed move – but what for?<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:48:29.908Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:45:18.695Z Lotto’s work is eating into the break’s lead. It’s now down to about 40 seconds.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:43:28.748Z<\/p>\n Here are the final KOM rankings of the day:<\/p>\n 1 Pedersen 18 points<\/p>\n 2 Le Berre 14 points<\/p>\n 3 Walker 3 points<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:42:29.672Z<\/p>\n Pedersen was back with his team car, seemingly discussing what the plan was now now that all of the available KOM points have been swept up. By the looks of things, he\u2019s going to keep working with Le Berre, rather than sitting up.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:40:19.285Z<\/p>\n There\u2019s a change in the peloton, as Lotto lead up the climb. They must fancy the chances of Braet at the finale today.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:39:16.034Z Pedersen outsprints Le Berre easily for the points as they go over the top.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:38:30.904Z<\/p>\n Le Berre is leading with Pedersen on his wheel as they approach the top.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:38:08.788Z<\/p>\n Having spent so long riding for this, the pair are relishing this battle. Both are looking at each other and engaging in gamesmanship.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:37:19.233Z<\/p>\n The leaders are climbing for the final time today, up the C\u00f4te du Pressoir. Can this be the one that Le Berre at last gets the better of Pedersen?<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:36:01.489Z<\/p>\n After fishing runner-up yesterday, Vito Braet must be considered a favorite for the win. The Belgian is without a win of any kind during his professional career, but he\u2019s long overdue, and that result suggests he\u2019s capable of doing so today.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:30:40.586Z The gap is no longer falling, but holding steady again, at about 1:35.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:26:20.786Z<\/p>\n Notable by their absence at the front, having done so much work yesterday, are Picnic-PostNL. Their sprinter Casper van Uden was dropped out of contention on the final climb, and therefore unable to sprint despite having his teammates ride at the front of the peloton for much of the day. He cited illness as a reason for not being in top shape, but if he can recover more today he\u2019ll be a contender.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:23:08.201Z<\/p>\n It’s still only NSN and EF Education-EasyPost who are doing any pace-setting at the front of the peloton. Given how open yeterday’s finish was, however, we can imagine there will be a lot of riders with a chance of winning.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:21:01.238Z<\/p>\n Pedersen and Le Berre, soldiering on with their (surely doomed) breakaway.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:19:56.736Z<\/p>\n Mechanical for Nils Politt, who looks calm and has swapped bikes. No need to panic at this early, relaxed phase of the stage.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:17:15.818Z For the first time in a while, the peloton have brought back some time on the leaders. The gap’s down to 1:35.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:16:02.952Z<\/p>\n Jonas Vingegaard is positioned safely in the bunch, and despite not losing any time yesterday was not a happy man at the finish. He criticised the route, which he felt caused undue stress due to too many complications.<\/p>\n ‘Not worthy of a WorldTour race’ \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard makes feelings clear over roads used in stage 1 of Paris-Nice<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:07:15.523Z<\/p>\n The roads are exposed enough today for wind to have been potentially a factor, but with blue skies and only a gentle breeze that has not materialised.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:03:20.838Z There’s another 25km until the third and final climb of the day, the category three C\u00f4te du Pressoir. Maintaining a lead of just under two minutes, the two leaders can be confident of still leading the race by the time they get there – even if the stage win feels very unlikely.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T14:00:22.882Z<\/p>\n The updated KOM rankings. Pedersen will again wear the polka-dot jersey tomorrow, so long as he successfully finishes today\u2019s stage.<\/p>\n 1 Pedersen 15 points<\/p>\n 2 Le Berre 12 points<\/p>\n 3 Walker 3 points<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:59:00.674Z<\/p>\n Two minutes later, Guillaume Boivin of NSN lead the peloton over the summit.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:57:20.452Z Once again it’s Pedersen who takes the honours at the top of the climb ahead of Le Berre.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:54:30.832Z<\/p>\n The two leaders are on the climb.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:49:57.032Z<\/p>\n This one is the C\u00f4te de Villeconin, and it’s another modest affair, lasting just 1km at an average of 6.1%.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:49:14.954Z With the gap still at two minutes, we’re about to have some action between the two brekaway riders as they approach the foot of the second climb of the day.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:41:07.236Z<\/p>\n Still it’s NSN who lead the peloton. This is a big statement of intent regarding how confident they are in Biniam Girmay’s ability to land them a stage win today.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:34:20.901Z The gap’s come down a little, to two minutes. But the peloton remains relaxed for now.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:30:31.096Z<\/p>\n Luke Lamperti in the bunch, on a day where he\u2019s seeking to both retain the yellow jersey, and potentially add a second stage win to his success yesterday. That result felt like a major breakthrough in the young American\u2019s career, and proved his potential as a potentially elite sprinter.<\/p>\n ‘A lot of firsts this week’ – US criterium champion Luke Lamperti earns success at Paris-Nice with a WorldTour victory and a debut stint in leader’s jersey<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:23:18.814Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:20:09.876Z The race remains in a holding pattern, the leading duo being left out ahead with a lead of 2:20 over the peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:12:57.307Z<\/p>\n Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! Find out more.<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:08:17.116Z<\/p>\n Unperturbed by yesterday, when Biniam Girmay was only able to sprint for fifth place, NSN are once again taking the responsibility to ride at the front of the peloton.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:06:22.724Z<\/p>\n Over at Tirreno-Adriatico, race favourite Isaac del Toro has just finished his ride in the opening stage time trial. You can follow us for all the action here.<\/p>\n Tirreno-Adriatico stage 1 LIVE – Riders go against the clock in race opener<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:04:44.988Z They might be down to just two riders, but the break’s lead has grown to its highest margin so far, 2:30. The peloton is in no rush to bring them back.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T13:00:11.498Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:54:45.799Z<\/p>\n While things remain quiet here for now, have a read of the big news today that the Ineos Grenadiers team are set for a major budget boost having secured a new title sponsor.<\/p>\n Ineos Grenadiers secure new title sponsor to rebuild super team status, deal worth \u20ac20 million annually<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:51:40.340Z Two minutes is the gap between the peloton and the leaders, whose taks has become even more difficult now they’re down to just two.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:47:02.936Z<\/p>\n The three riders at the front, that has now become two.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:44:28.019Z<\/p>\n It seems that that’s job done for Vercher. He’s sat up and waiting for the peloton to collect him.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:43:55.720Z<\/p>\n Here are the updated classifications:<\/p>\n 1 Pedersen 12 points<\/p>\n 2 Le Berre 10 points<\/p>\n 3 Walker 3 points<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:43:01.395Z Success once again for Pedersen. He picks up from where he left off yesterday, and takes the points at the top of the climb ahead of Le Berre and Vercher.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:39:46.350Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:34:48.139Z<\/p>\n Here are the KOM rankings as things stand. Pedersen was comfortably the strongest yesterday, but Le Berre kept himself in contention, and today has his teammate Vercher to try to help him work over the man in the polka-dot jersey.<\/p>\n 1 Pedersen 9 points<\/p>\n 2 Le Berre 8<\/p>\n 3 Walker 3<\/p>\n 4 Grignard 2<\/p>\n 5 Gamper 2<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:32:59.607Z<\/p>\n Said climb is the C\u00f4te des Mesnuls, a 1.2km effort averaging 5.5%. Its greatest significance will be staging a resumption of the rivalry between Pedersen and Le Berre in the break, as they fight it out for KOM points.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:31:13.844Z The gap between the three leaders and the peloton continues to hover around two minutes, as they approach the first of the day’s three climbs.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:26:05.380Z<\/p>\n And here are the three remaining riders, Pedersen, Le Berre and Vercher.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:24:49.956Z<\/p>\n Here were the four riders together before S\u00fctterlin dropped back.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:23:49.892Z<\/p>\n At some point, S\u00fctterlin must have thought better of taking part in the day\u2019s break and determined it wasn\u2019t worth the effort.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:22:40.797Z<\/p>\n Despite having attacked earlier, Jasha S\u00fctterlin is not actually in the break. He’s back in the peloton, leaving just the three riders up the road.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:19:12.159Z The gap’s been allowed to grow to 1:50, and the peloton is keeping it pegged there for now.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:16:04.679Z<\/p>\n Pleasant skies and nice conditions greet the riders today, further swinging the advantage towards the sprinters.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:09:22.012Z<\/p>\n That said, yesterday the break came far closer than expected to surviving to the finish, so we can\u2019t rule them out. And that\u2019s a pretty strong quartet, with two of the men who did so well to hold off the peloton for so long yesterday.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:08:05.904Z<\/p>\n That was an especially complicated process. The unlikelyhood of the break succeeding on such a flat stage is reflected in how little interest there was among the riders in the peloton to get into the break.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:06:14.426Z<\/p>\n S\u00fctterlin does indeed sit up and wait for Pedersen, Le Berre and Vercher to join him, and the four are 1:45 ahead of the peloton. We have our break of the day.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:05:06.125Z<\/p>\n The three chasers still have a few seconds to make up on S\u00fctterlin, but it looks like these four riders will form the break of the day.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:03:59.338Z<\/p>\n The peloton seems to have sat up – they’re already over a minute behind.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:02:19.477Z<\/p>\n Two of the riders who were in the break yesterday, Casper Pedersen (Soudal Quick-Step) and Mathis Le Berre TotalEnergies), are chasing, along with Le Berre’s teammate Matteo Vercher.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T12:00:37.123Z<\/p>\n Jasha S\u00fctterlin is the Jayco rider at the front, and he leads the race by a few seconds ahead of three chasers.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T11:59:41.142Z<\/p>\n The riders at the unofficial start.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T11:56:47.471Z<\/p>\n A Jayco rider is the first to make a move, and another rider is trying to join him.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T11:55:42.993Z And they’re off!<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T11:54:27.590Z<\/p>\n Paris-Nice isn\u2019t the only World Tour racing taking place today – over in Italy Tirreno-Adriatico has gotton under way. We\u2019ve got live coverage of that race, too.<\/p>\n Tirreno-Adriatico stage 1 LIVE – Riders go against the clock in race opener<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-03-09T11:48:21.743Z<\/p>\n The riders are gliding through Ach\u00e8res for the unofficial start, and will be racing after about 3.km.<\/p>\n 2026-03-09T11:46:48.600Z<\/p>\n For a reminder of what happened yesterday, here’s our race report.<\/p>\n
\n60KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/6YKRsNnYpfhyRSULfoKd3.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n70KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\nKOM – C\u00d4TE DU PRESSOIR <\/p>\n
\n80KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"Soudal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/YLkiLJBga2t4QEicZzjyq9.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n90KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"Team](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ALM9w5jarkgo5PMn5NDn9Q.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4cgJgc2d8vshsksagUSe9E.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n100KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\nKOM – C\u00d4TE DE VILLECONIN<\/p>\n
\n110KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/FHc6qz5Hb6SD2aU6suruDS.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n120KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"MONTARGIS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/7nex23YhqenBTLirgT83k7.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cZpgswDPPiXdZqKsWxwLa7.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n130KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/N67CSVZjXbQNH4UagA5BG.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n140KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8xeDRVaqiQLBHLK2ryknrh.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n150KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"(From](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/yARLRK4a2R7xvPkHpLSca4.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\nKOM – C\u00d4TE DES MESNULS<\/p>\n![\"MONTARGIS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/7c7nW2nZbKoCDwgaCemcf.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n160KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"MONTARGIS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WeqXhxDHRMxP2NEaUm8N45.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"MONTARGIS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/meRosFMHtWJWghr6f9pxmj.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n170KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/yQ2M7TvQ6bQqibgqC2BNNV.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"American](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Y29tiwHMcozX4SK3PBxy7M.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\nOFFICIAL START<\/p>\n
![\"CARRIERES-SOUS-POISSY,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a8FVRsVHjaFvZC2bS3PmvK.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n