Paris-Nice 2009 round up

I’ve enjoyed following this race over the last week, sometimes via the TV, other times by newspaper or the internet. A good field of riders, a historic race, some gutsy riding and a dash of controversy just to give in a bit of colour.

In summary the 2007 Tour de France winner, Alberto Contador, was the favourite after winning the prologue, albeit some would question how. Contador the lightweight, Spanish climber and a little below top form beat Olympic pursuit champion and time trialist specialist Bradley Wiggins, who had specifically trained to win this event, by seven seconds.

Contador held on to the yellow jersey for most of the week only to lose is in the closing kilometers of the penultimate stage to Luis León Sánchez losing three minutes overall. Contador needed help off his bike he tried so hard. In the final stage he gave it all. Attacking on the days first big climb it didn’t work for long. In the final kilometers two riders escaped and Contador gave chase. He gave it all on the last day to regain the golden fleece he’d lost but to no avail.

Luis León Sánchez won the general classification,  Fränk Schleck was second, then Sylvain Chavanel followed in fourth by Contador. Maybe he was a little under form after all…….