David Millar took the Paris-Nice prologue win today over Kreuzinger (Liquigas) and Joly (Francaise des Jeux), though no one broke the six-minute barrier. It’s a job well done for Millar, who always used to be a TT force to be reckoned with… Though now we know at least some of that was due to doping. I like seeing riders who’ve come back from suspensions do well, so I’m pleased Millar’s won the day.

Neither CyclingNews nor VeloNews had live coverage going, so I can’t yet link to the stage results. I’m going back to bed now, so I’ll post them later for you. When I’m conscious at a later, more civilized, hour.

UPDATE: Here’s the CyclingNews writeup. Millar did actually win a TT in the Vuelta last year, so it’s not his first big win since coming back from his suspension, but he says it marks a new beginning in his second chance. Second place finisher, Roman Kreuzinger, may not be a household name, but this 19-year-old (yes, 19) is no slouch. He is, after all, a former junior world champion. He could be a name to keep an eye on.

The top ten on the day:

1 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval-Prodir 6.01 (46.869 km/h)
2 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas 0.01
3 Sébastien Joly (Fra) Française Des Jeux 0.02
4 Luis León Sánchez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne s.t.
5 Alberto Contador (Spa) Discovery Channel s.t.
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel 0.03
7 Francisco José Ventoso (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 0.04
8 Remmert Wielinga (Ned) Saunier Duval-Prodir s.t.
9 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Française Des Jeux s.t.
10 Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank 0.05

Photo by AFP