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LA CHAPELLE-SAINT-URSIN, France, March 9, 2009 (AFP) – Germany’s Heinrich Haussler, riding for the Cervelo team, prevailed in a sprint for the second stage honors in the Paris-Nice here on Monday.

Spanish rider Alberto Contador, winner of the opening day’s time trial, held on to the leader’s yellow jersey despite being held up when his path was blocked by a multiple pile-up less than two kilometres from the finish.

He benefited from the ruling which neutralizes times when a crash involving several riders occurs three kilometres or less from the line.

Haussler comfortably held off the challenges of Australian Mark Renshaw and Mirco Lorenzetto of Italy in the sprint launched by Belgian rider Jurgen Roelandts.

The 195.5km stage was marked by an early break led by Dutch competitor Piet Rooijakkers which at one point enjoyed a seven-minute advantage on the peloton.

Haussler, 25, turned professional in 2005, the year he won a stage on the Tour of Spain.
He reported: “The sprint wasn’t easy. We were racing into a headwind so I tucked my bike in behind Renshaw and the Columbia team.

“I’ve tried to have a good start to the season with my new team. My aim was to win a stage, now I’ve done it.”

While he has plenty of racing ahead of him this week for one rider, Remi Pauriol, Monday proved the end of the road as the young French cyclist was one of those involved in the mass crash which left him nursing a fractured shoulder and a visit to hospital.

Tuesday’s third stage, a 178km run from Orval to Vichy, should once again favour speed specialists.