German Max Kanter sprinted to victory in the Paris-Nice second stage at Montargis on Monday as American Luke Lamperti kept the leader's yellow jersey.
Astana's Kanter powered clear of New Zealander Laurence Pithie and Belgian Jasper Stuyven in a nervy finale as the peloton caught Dutch rider Daan Hoole late after he had led for the final 20 kilometres.
"Am I dreaming? I must be dreaming, right?" exclaimed Kanter after crossing the finish line, having achieved, at 28, just the third victory of his career and the most significant.
"I'm so happy. I've been waiting for this for so long. It's a dream to win here, this race has such prestige."
🍿 Final à suspense à Montargis !
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) March 9, 2026
⏪ Revivez le dernier kilomètre de l’étape 2
🎬 A thrilling finish in Montargis!
⏪ Relive the final kilometer of Stage 2#ParisNice pic.twitter.com/PpjQSOxGHO
Traditionally the first two stages of the "Race to the Sun" intended as a condensed version of the Tour de France, are destined for mass sprint finishes.
But this year, the elite sprinters have opted to compete instead in the rival Tirreno-Adriatico stage race through Italy.
This has created unexpected opportunities for those who work behind the scenes and have been suddenly thrust into the spotlight.
On Sunday, Lamberti secured his first World Tour victory, narrowly retaining the race lead on Monday.
"Before coming here, I had a tough few weeks; I was sick," said Kanter.
"Even yesterday, I really wasn't feeling well. But sometimes things just fall into place, and today was my day."
The favourites, led by double Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard, should show themselves in Tuesday's third stage, a 23.5km team time-trial between Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire and Pouilly-sur-Loire in central France.
Spaniard Juan Ayuso, considered Vingegaard's main rival for overall victory on Sunday in Nice, grabbed four bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint on Monday.
STAGE WINNERS
1. Max Kanter (GER) XDS Astana Team 4:25:07
2. Laurence Pithie (NZL) Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe "
3. Jasper Stuyven (BEL) Soudal Quick-Step "
4. Dorian Godon (FRA) INEOS Grenadiers "
5. Luke Lamperti (USA) EF Education - EasyPost "
6. Rick Pluimers (NED) Tudor Pro Cycling Team "
7. Lewis Askey (GBR) NSN Cycling Team "
8. Tom Van Asbroeck (BEL) NSN Cycling Team "
9. Clément Russo (FRA) Groupama - FDJ United "
10. Anthony Turgis (FRA) TotalEnergies "
11. Emmanuel Houcou (FRA) Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team "
12. Bryan Coquard (FRA) Cofidis "
13. Stian Fredheim (NOR) Uno-X Mobility "
14. Pascal Ackermann (GER) Team Jayco AlUla "
15. Niklas Märkl (GER) Team Picnic PostNL "
16. Joshua Tarling (GBR) INEOS Grenadiers "
17. Mike Teunissen (NED) XDS Astana Team "
18. Marijn van den Berg (NED) EF Education - EasyPost "
19. Vito Braet (BEL) Lotto Intermarché "
20. Jensen Plowright (AUS) Alpecin - Premier Tech "
OVERALL LEADERS
1. Luke Lamperti (USA) EF Education - EasyPost 8:10:12
2. Vito Braet (BEL) Lotto Intermarché "
3. Laurence Pithie (NZL) Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe +6
4. Jasper Stuyven (BEL) Soudal Quick-Step +8
5. Orluis Aular (VEN) Movistar Team "
6. Juan Ayuso (ESP) Lidl - Trek "
7. Casper Pedersen (DEN) Soudal Quick-Step "
8. Dorian Godon (FRA) INEOS Grenadiers +12
9. Anthony Turgis (FRA) TotalEnergies "
10. Mike Teunissen (NED) XDS Astana Team "
11. Jensen Plowright (AUS) Alpecin - Premier Tech "
12. Rick Pluimers (NED) Tudor Pro Cycling Team "
13. Axel Zingle (FRA) Team Visma - Lease a Bike "
14. Stian Fredheim (NOR) Uno-X Mobility "
15. Emmanuel Houcou (FRA) Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team "
16. Matteo Trentin (ITA) Tudor Pro Cycling Team "
17. Lewis Askey (GBR) NSN Cycling Team "
18. Marijn van den Berg (NED) EF Education - EasyPost "
19. Biniam Girmay (ERI) NSN Cycling Team "
20. Bryan Coquard (FRA) Cofidis "
