Paris-Nice Review

2008 Paris-Nice (Paris, France to Nice, France)
March 9-16, NE

Overall GC Winner: Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner)
Mountains Classification: Clément Lhotellerie (Skil-Shimano)
Points Classification: Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole)
Best Young Rider: Robert Gesink (Rabobank)
Stage Winners:
Prologue - Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole)
Stage 1 - Gert Steegmans (Quick.Step)
Stage 2 - Gert Steegmans (Quick.Step)
Stage 3 - Kjell Carlström (Liquigas)
Stage 4 - Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto)
Stage 5 - Carlos Barredo (Quick.Step)
Stage 6 - Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis)
Stage 7 - Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne)
Notable Events/Controversies: Not really anything terribly controversial in the racing itself, although there were pre-race polemics between the ASO and UCI over the race's status as a FFC-sanctioned race instead of a ProTour event.
Good race for: Quick.Step (3 stage wins) and Cadel Evans (stage win atop the Mont Ventoux).
Bad race for: Pure climbers, especially Cunego. They flattered to decieve throughout.
Pros: A very attacking and hilly last few stages.
Cons: Terrible weather and stale racing for the first few days.
We'll Remember it for: Rebellin finally breaking through and winning the Race to the Sun, and Luis Leon Sanchez riding like an über-Jens Voigt on his way to winning the last stage. Also (possibly) the breakout race for Lhotellerie.
What to change for 2009: Not much, maybe one more true flat stage to attract more of the pure sprinters, but keep the Ventoux, for sure.
Overall rating: 8/10, some young guns (especially Sanchez, Gesink and Lhotellerie) and a good route made for some serious attacking cycling.