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Nazon clinches first stage of Paris-Nice, Millar stays in lead

The pack passes by a windmill during the first stage of the Paris-Nice cycling tour from Cloyes-Sur-Le-Loir to Buzancais, close to Buzancais, on Monday. PHOTO: EPA

French sprinter Jean-Patrick Nazon won the first stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race on Monday, and David Millar retained the overall lead.

Nazon covered the 186km from Cloyes-sur-le-Loir in four hours, 29 minutes, 39 seconds.

The AG2R rider beat Sebastian Siedler of Germany and Mathew Hayman of Australia in a sprint finish.

Millar finished in 31st place but with the same time as Nazon, enabling the British rider to keep the overall lead he took in Sunday's prologue.

Millar returned to the sport last year after serving a two-year doping ban.

Roman Kreuzinger of the Czech Republic is second overall, one second behind Millar. Luis Sanchez of Spain is third, two seconds behind Millar.

Yesterday's 177km stage was to take the riders from Vatan to Limoges.

The race ends on Sunday in the coastal city of Nice.
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