Belgian Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) won the first stage of Paris-Nice in a sprint in gray and cold weather on Sunday March 5 at La Verrière, after a winding and hilly course of 169.4 km in the Chevreuse valley. The Belgian champion, who has already won his fourth success of the season, won quite clearly ahead of the Irishman Sam Bennett (Bora) and the Dane Mads Pedersen (Trek Segafredo). Tim Merlier is the first leader of the Race to the Sun.
Belgian Tim Merlier wins the first stage of Paris-Nice
