Meanwhile in France, the third stage of Paris-Nice was cut short today because of snow, beginning at Saint St. Yreix, instead of Saint Junien. The peloton ended up riding the final 155 kilometres of the original 208 km course. This cut out the first two planned ranked climbs of the day, and the organizers also cancelled the first intermediate sprint, which would have come 11 kilometres into the revised stage. Peter Sagan (SYK - Liquigas) took the first win of this pro career finishing at the front of a six-man sprint at the final. The young 20-year-old finished ahead of Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP -Katusha) and Nicolas Roche (IRL-Ag2R-La Mondiale). Jens Voigt (GER-Saxo Bank) finished fourth and now wears the leaders journey. Best result for Cervélo today was Xavier Florencio who finished in ninth position. "Because of the snow today we all were taken by convoy to the new race start that was moved from Saint Junien to Saint St. Yreix, at the fifty three kilometres mark in the stage," said Philippe Mauduit, sports director. "The stage began really fast with an average speed of 47 km/h for the first 30 kilometres. There were a lot of attacks and counter attacks and finally a group of three riders Jurgen Roelandts, (BEL-Quick Step), Nicolas Maes, (BEL, Quick Step) and Yann Huguet, (FRA -Skil-Shimano), who was the guy who made the breakaway went clear. Then nothing happened Rabobank did their job, like other days, Astana as well. About 45 to 50 kilometres from the finish Caisse d'Epargne took the lead because we were six minutes behind the three guys and Astana and Rabobank were not closing the gap. The group was finally pulled back at the base of the final climb with 5 kilometres to go. Three kilometres to the finish line we had a one kilometre hill, 7% steep and here Nicole Roche attacked and escaped with 6 guys who ended up in the final sprint. Behind them there is a five-man group and our rider Xavier Florencio (ESP) is in that group and finishes ninth. Tomorrow the goal is to bring Volodimir Gustov (UKR) and Davide Appollonio (ITA) into position for the final climb. Both of them are in really good shape and Xavier Tondo (ESP) is still riding well, always joking with the riders and smiling. However, Joaquin Novoa (ESP) had to abandon the race today due to knee problems and we are having that checked currently." Tomorrow's stage from Maurs to Mendes will be a challenging one. 176.3 kilometres from start to finish with the start in the famous Maurs la Jolie, or the little Nice of the Cantal. The first challenge will be 40 kilometres into the stage with the slopes of the 2nd category Côte de Montsalvy. Then the Gorges du Lot will be the backdrop heading towards Mende, where the riders will have to tackle a demanding final climb. The Croix Neuve - Montée Laurent Jalabert climb is 3.1 km long with an average gradient of 10%. This climb will be a rehearsal for this July's Tour de France, whose 12th stage will also finish in Mende. Stage 3: Saint-Junien - Aurillac - 208 km
1 Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas - Doimo
2 Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha
3 Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale
4 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank
5 Tony Martin (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia
6 Alberto Contador (Esp) Astana
7 Mirco Lorenzetto (Ita) Lampre - Farnese Vini
8 Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne
9 Xavier Florencio (Esp) Cervélo Test Team