Share

Martin wins Paris-Nice

Nice - German all-rounder Tony Martin of the HTC-Highroad team won the 69th edition of Paris-Nice Sunday as French champion Thomas Voeckler claimed victory in the eighth and final stage.

Martin, 25, took control of the race when he won Friday's 27km time trial, and held on to his 36-sec lead on compatriot Andreas Kloden to claim his second stage race victory in as many months.

Despite an attack by Spanish Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez on the Col d'Eze leading into Nice, the German contained the threat to claim his first victory in the 'Race to the Sun'.

Kloden, the race winner in 2000 and a former runner-up in the Tour de France, was second with Britain's Bradley Wiggins in third place.

Voeckler meanwhile defied another day of pouring rain to pick up his second stage win of the race for his Europcar team.

The 31-year-old French champion got into a breakaway and outlasted his companions to cross the finish line on the 'Promenade des Anglais' on his own to add the win to his stage victory on Wednesday.

Italian Diego Ulissi, 21, finished second 20secs back with fellow Frenchman Julien El Fares of Cofidis in third at over a minute behind.

Martin crossed the line among a small group of chasers around a minute and a half behind Voeckler.

Results:

1. Thomas Voeckler, France, Europcar, 3 hours, 15 minutes and 58 seconds.

2. Diego Ulissi, Italy, Lampre-ISD, 23 seconds behind.

3. Julien El Fares, France, Cofidis, 1:06.

4. Samuel Sanchez, Spain, Euskaltel-Euskadi, same time.

5. David Garcia Lopez, Spain, Movistar Team, same time.

6. Matteo Carrara, Italy, Vacansoleil-DCM, 1:08.

7. Gorka Izagirre Insausti, Spain, Euskaltel-Euskadi, 1:12.

8. Jose Joaquin Rojas, Spain, Movistar Team, 1:22.

9. Simon Spilak, Slovenia, Lampre-ISD, same time.

10. Tomas Vaitkus, Lithuania, Pro Team Astana, same time.

Overall Standings

1. Tony Martin, Germany, HTC-Highroad, 34 hours, 3 minutes, 37 seconds.

2. Andreas Kloeden, Germany, Team RadioShack, 36 seconds behind.

3. Bradley Wiggins, Britain, Sky Procycling, :41.

4. Rein Taaramae, Estonia, Cofidis, 1:10.

5. Samuel Sanchez, Spain, Euskaltel-Euskadi, 1:13.

6. Jean-Christophe Peraud, France, AG2R La Mondiale, 1:24.

7. Janez Brajkovic, Slovenia, Team RadioShack, 1:34.

8. Levi Leipheimer, United States, Team RadioShack, 1:36.

9. Bauke Mollema, Netherlands, Rabobank, 2:04.

10. Maxime Monfort, Belgium, Team Leopard Trek, 2:26.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE