The Albany Gazette - Speed king Merlier doubles up at Paris-Nice

The Soudal Quick-Step rider had to overcome being trapped behind a crash 20km to go to get back in touch with the lead peloton, where he faced reduced competition at a finish line tailor-made to test the fast men.

The 32-year-old Merlier also extended his overall lead in the standings after two stages of the race conceived as a mini Tour de France.

Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard finished safely in the pack again and is 20 seconds adrift of Merlier in the rankings due to win time bonuses.

Stage two of eight was a flat 183.9km run from Montesson, just 20km west of Paris, to Bellegarde with the route heading down to the Loire Valley on Tuesday.

The crash split the peloton and ended the race for Luke Durbridge and Gorka Sorarrain.

It also allowed Jonas Abrahamsen to continue his slog out front on an escape for longer than expected, as he was caught just 5km from the line and took the day's combativity award.

Stuck behind the crash were some overall contenders such as Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Joao Almeida of UAE Team Emirates and Ben O'Connor of Jayco-AlUla.

Tuesday's stage, which begins at the Magny-Cours motor racing circuit, is a 28.4km team time trial using the new format where key riders no longer need to wait for their teammates over the closing section.

The following two stages feature rolling hills as the race forges south and culminates with a pair of mountain stages this weekend.

The action should go down to the wire with a chase up the fabled slopes of the Col d'Eze, offering a sweeping view of the French Riviera, before the peloton race full on to the denouement on Nice's Promenade des Anglais.

(W.Walker--TAG)