Paris - Nice 2020: Nizzolo wins echelon marked race, Schachmann still leader

It's chaos in Paris-Nice. Nizzolo wins the sprint after a crosswinds dominated day, while Alaphilippe and Quintana lose a lot of time. Schachmann cements the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage Paris-Nice 2020

1. Giacomo Nizzolo (ita)
2. Pascal Ackermann (ger) s.t.
3. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.
4. Nils Politt (ger) s.t.
5. Sergio Higuita (col) s.t.
6. Mads Würtz Schmidt (den) s.t.
7. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 0.03
8. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) s.t.
9. Felix Großschartner (aut) s.t.
10. Krists Neilands (lat) s.t.

GC after stage 2
1. Maximilian Schachmann (ger)
2. Giacomo Nizzolo (ita) + 0.15
3. Jasper Stuyven (bel) + 0.21
4. Sergio Higuita (col) + 0.23
5. Nils Politt (ger) + 0.25
6. Mads Würtz Schmidt (den) s.t.
7. Felix Großschartner (aut)+ 0.28
8. Krists Neilands (lat) s.t.
9. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) s.t.
10. Tiesj Benoot (bel) + 0.38

11. Dylan Teuns (bel) + 0.40
15. Thibaut Pinot (fra) + 0.43
22. Michael Woods (can) + 1.01
24. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 1.23
27. Nairo Quintana (col) + 1.50
33. Romain Bardet (fra) + 3.10

Race report
Jonathan Hivert and Jose Diaz Gallego jump clear shortly after the start. The duo opens up a gap of 3 minutes.

The road opens up with 70 kilometres remaining. On this exposed terrain the gap goes down fast and the breakaway is history shortly.

Schachmann pockets a time bonus of 3 seconds in an intermediate sprint, while Higuita takes 2 before crosswinds split the peloton with 30 kilometres to go. Alaphilippe, Benoot and Teuns are all dropped, while Quintana is forced to chase after a crash.

At first, the lead group features 35 men, but another move brings it further down inside the last 10 kilometres. Leader Schachmann finds himself surrounded by Sagan, Nibali, Higuita, World Champion Pedersen, Nizzolo, Ackermann, Stuyven, Politt, Würtz Schmidt and Hofstetter.

Ackerman receives a royal lead-out by Sagan, but the German runs out of steam and Nizzolo overhauls him. Obviously, Schachmann cements the overall lead, while Nizzolo moves up to second place.

Higuita is the best placed GC rider, 23 seconds behind Schachmann and 5 seconds ahead of Nibali.

Another interesting read: route stage 2 Paris-Nice 2020.