Will be interesting to see how Boonen goes as the race progresses - whether he's becoming a broader-based stage racer or whether he's just good in sprints and one-day races. They'll be up in the hills in a couple of days!
Did you see the weater yesterday, I've never seen pro's racing in winter capes before it looked bloody cold! Did the two breakaway riders make it to the finish ? My Sky + stoped before the race finished !
Caught them at 6km to go, apparently - www.cyclingnews.com for full report. It was appalling weather for Paris-Nice last year too I seem to remember, with some stages being shortened. As a regular summer visitor to central southern France it's hard to imagine the place under a couple of feet of snow. Good luck to 'em - we'll probably get our share come Sunday and the Neil White Pursuit up at Stokesley!
"...interesting to see how Boonen goes as the race progresses..."
Five and a half minutes down on the first stage with hills - oh well. Mind you just about everybody seems to be saying they're just there for training as it's early in the season. Is anyone actually trying to win?!?