From CyclingNews:

Meanwhile, due to misinformation, bunch sprint favourite Tom Boonen thought he was the lucky winner of the stage just behind Kolobnev, and raised his arms as he crossed the line in Maurs. “I really thought I had won,” Boonen told Sporza after the race. Obviously, team Quick-Step hadn’t counted the breakaway riders they had reeled in with just a few kilometres to go, and prepared their sprint as usual. “I didn’t know that there was still a rider in front of the peloton. Shit, after two unlucky days I thought I finally had the win in my pocket. But when I lowered my arms, I saw that CSC was celebrating, too.”

Even though the Belgian was disappointed not having scored a single victory at this year’s Paris-Nice (he won two in 2005, and three in 2006), he was also glad that the sprint stages are over. “A stage victory in Paris-Nice is not a necessity,” he continued. “Besides, this was one of the most dangerous sprints of my life. We were riding at 80 km/h; I will never forget this sprint!”

In view of Milano-Sanremo, only nine days away, Boonen is not concerned, either. “I don’t need a victory before Milano-Sanremo to know where I stand,” he told L’Equipe. “I’m right where I want to be… Besides, last year, I won three stages using the energy that I needed for the Classics. In Paris-Roubiax, I was already past my peak of form.”