The Netherlands’ Moreno Hofland won a sprint finish for the 205km second stage of the Paris-Nice cycling event to Saint-Georges-sur-Baulche in Burgundy yesterday.
The Netherlands’ Moreno Hofland celebrates on the podium after winning the second stage of the 72nd edition of the Paris-Nice cycling race, between Rambouillet and Saint-Georges-sur-Baulche, on Monday. Photo: AFP
The 22-year-old crossed ahead of Germany’s John Degenkolb, who was already second on Sunday, and France’s Nacer Bouhanni, winner of the first stage.
Bouhanni leads the overall standings with a two-second advantage on Degenkolb, and Hofland now four seconds off the leader.
“Last week it was special to be in front with the favourites at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne,” said the winner, who finished second to one-day classic specialist Tom Boonen in the Belgian race.
“Today, it’s even better to beat them. I was badly placed with 1.2km left, in about 30th position.
“I thought it was over but then, with a teammate, I threaded my way through and got back up. I still don’t know how. I found myself on Degenkolb’s wheel and I made my move 300m out.”
Today’s 180km third stage will run between Toucy and the Magny-Cours circuit. – AFP
Results
1. Moreno Hofland (NED/BKN) 4hr 53min 46sec (average: 41,9 km/h)
2 John Degenkolb (GER/GIA) same time
3 Nacer Bouhanni (FRA/FDJ) s.t
4 Alexander Kristoff (NOR/KAT) s.t
5 Thor Hushovd (NOR/BMC) s.t
Overall standings
1 Nacer Bouhanni (FRA/FDJ) 8h46:43
2 John Degenkolb (GER/GIA) at 0:02.
3 Moreno Hofland (NED/BKN) 0:04
4 Geraint Thomas (GBR/SKY) 0:13
5 Bryan Coquard (FRA/EUC) 0:14
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