Stage 2 of Paris-Nice once again saw a rain-soaked day with only faint hopes of the warm shores of Nice.

The majority of the day belonged to Thierry Hupond of the Skil-Shimano team. Hupond attacked early in the stage and enjoyed up to a 15 minute lead today. As a result, he managed to win 3 of the 4 KOM primes before being caught on the ascent of the final climb.

On the backside, Phillipe Gilbert made the first attack, but it was the foursome of Thor Hushovd, Gert Steegmans, Sylvain Chavanal and Michael Albasini who took control. Chavanal went out first, but it was Steegmans who countered the sprint and held on for his second stage win.

Hushovd holds onto the yellow jersey, but Steegmans is only 3 second behind. Cadel Evans, David Millar and some others got caught up in a crash early in the stage, but Millar at least managed to stay close enough today to be within striking distance of the lead.