Paris-Nice is affectionately referred to as “The Race To The Sun,” but the competitors in this year’s race are still looking for the sun. Monday’s stage was once again beset by driving wind and rain, and the organizers were forced to move the start of the race, shortening the stage from 184.5 to 93.5 kilometers.

The shortened stage ended up with only one KOM, which was won by Dionisio Galparsoro of Euskatel-Euskadi. On the descent, Bernhard Eisel (High Road) went off the front along with Peter Velits and Niki Terpstra of Milram. They built their lead up to 4 minutes and 10 seconds while Quick Step and Française des Jeux actively chased.

As speeds increased, there were a few crashes, one involving Cadel Evans with 43km to go.

Quick Step continued working over the peloton, and it broke into four parts at one point. Race leader Thur Hushovd managed to stay in the front group, while Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux), Fränk Schleck (CSC), Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) and David Millar (Slipstream) clawed their way back in.

The front group caught the breakaway at the 78km mark. Mikaël Chérel (Française des Jeux) made a break with 7km to go. Jérôme Pineau (Bouygues Telecom) also tried to jump the sprint but Gert Steegmans (Quick Step) stuck to his wheel. Steegman’s team pulled everyone back together before the uphill sprint Nevers. With 350 meters to go, Steegmans sprung off the front and stayed clear of everybody else to take the win.

 Thor Hushovd holds on to the leader’s jersey, but Quick Step is leading in the team points. American team Slipstream-Chipotle H3O has two riders in the top 10 (Lowe & Millar). The highest ranked American is Danny Pate, in 43rd, 2 minutes and 45 seconds back.