Vinokourov eyes encore

Defending Paris-Nice champion Alexandre Vinokourov (Deutsche Telekom) is tipped as the favourite.

Sprinters bemoan tough Paris-Nice finish

PARIS - NICE Stages

Although he was a silver medallist in Sydney and a winner of the Dauphiné Libéré in 1999, the 29-year-old Vinokourov finally stepped out of the shadow of long-time team-mate Jan Ullrich when he won Paris-Nice last year.

Yet Vinokourov showed what he was really made of when he climbed to victory at the 2002 Paris-Nice, out-muscling his rivals on the notorious Mont-Faron and the Col d'Eze. The Kazak claimed the 60th edition, finishing nearly one minute ahead of Frenchmen Sandy Casar and Laurent Jalabert.

Vinokourov followed up his excellent 2002 form by winning a stage in the summer's Tour of Switzerland; however, a freak hip injury forced him to pull out of the Tour de France, costing his team their best chances in the overall classifications.

Nevertheless, the 2003 season represents a new beginning for Vinokourov. With Ullrich gone, the Kazak can now strive higher and progressively evolve from his supporting role on the team. A consecutive victory in Nice would undoubtedly put Vinokourov into more of a leader's position in the major tours.

The Telekom rider hopes to get off to a good start on Sunday, when the eight-day race starts off in the Parisian suburb Issy-les-Moulineaux for a 4.8-kilometre time trial.

Vinokourov can count on a stiff challenge from Italian former Paris-Nice champion Dario Frigo, who has boasted some fine early form this season, winning last month's Tour of Valencia. Frigo is no slouch on the gruelling climbs either, having won on top of the Col d'Eze for the past two years.

While riders are far from their best form in early March, the 61st Paris-Nice will definitely be an interesting test for the peloton. With eager French riders impatient to compete on home turf, the doors may be wide open but Vinokourov isn't taking any chances.