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The attention of pro cycling fans returns to France this week for the 8-day Paris-Nice bicycle race.
Great Britain's David Millar took the short prologue on Sunday on the outskirts of Paris and retains his overall slim lead at the end of Monday's Stage 1.
Sitting back in 6th place, but only 3 seconds behind, is Discovery Channel cyclist Levi Leipheimer, the American who won last month's Tour of California.
Other Americans in the race include 2005 Paris-Nice winner Bobby Julich (Team CSC), 6 seconds behind; Tom Danielson (Discovery) and Dave Zabriskie (CSC) 11 seconds behind; Tyler Farrar (Cofidis), 14 seconds back; Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto) 16 seconds behind; and Christian Vande Velde (CSC) 17 seconds behind.
Monday's 115-mile flat stage to Buzancais ended in a bunch sprint with most of the 160-man peloton getting the same time. Frenchman Jean-Patrick Nazon riding for Ag2r took the win.
On Tuesday, the racers continue their way south along another relatively flat route to Limoges. A couple of Category 3 and a Category 2 climb greet the races on Wednesday on the way to Maurs, and things should really bust up on Thursday with the 104-mile race to Mende when riders face four Category 2 climbs and a final Category 1 to the finish.
See results at CyclingNews or VeloNews.
The 780-mile race ends Sunday in Nice.
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