Luke Lamperti Wins Stage 1 of Paris-Nice in Bunch Sprint
Carrières-sous-Poissy, France – American Luke Lamperti of EF Education-EasyPost claimed a stunning victory in the opening stage of the 2026 Paris-Nice race on Sunday, sprinting to victory in a thrilling bunch finish. The win marks the biggest of Lamperti’s career and the first stage win of the season for his team.
Lamperti edged out Belgium’s Vito Braet (Lotto-Intermarché) and Venezuela’s Orluis Aular (Movistar) to take the first yellow jersey of the 84th edition of Paris-Nice, which concludes on March 15th in Nice. The 171.2km stage, characterized by nearly 2,000 meters of elevation gain and a challenging finishing circuit, ultimately came down to a speedy and furious sprint.
Late Catch and Chaotic Finish
The stage saw a late catch of the breakaway group, setting the stage for a mass sprint. The final kilometer was marred by crashes, adding to the drama and testing the riders’ ability to navigate the chaotic conditions. Lamperti, expertly guided by Marijn van den Berg, timed his sprint perfectly to take the win.
According to Cyclingnews.com, Cees Bol (Decathlon CMA CGM) initially challenged Lamperti but faded quickly. Bingham Grimy (NSN Cycling Team) also launched a strong surge but was unable to identify a clear path to the front.
American Breakthrough
This victory is particularly significant for Lamperti, a three-time criterium national champion who joined EF Education-EasyPost from Soudal-QuickStep at the start of the year. It represents a major breakthrough for the young American rider at the WorldTour level. The Paris-Nice race is a prestigious event on the cycling calendar, known for its challenging terrain and attracting top riders from around the globe.
The race’s opening stage took riders through the Yvelines department, west of Paris, providing a hilly course that tested the peloton’s climbing abilities. While the elevation gain didn’t create significant gaps among the general classification contenders, it did contribute to a demanding race day.
Stage Results
The top three finishers of Stage 1 were:
- 1st: Luke Lamperti (EF Education-EasyPost)
- 2nd: Vito Braet (Lotto-Intermarché)
- 3rd: Orluis Aular (Movistar)
Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay finished 7th, while French cyclist Axel Zingle secured 9th place, according to reports from the race.
What’s Next?
Monday’s Stage 2 will see the peloton cover 187 kilometers from Epône, in the Yvelines, to Montargis, in the Loiret region. Riders will face a different challenge on Stage 2, with a flatter course potentially favoring another bunch sprint. The stage will provide an early test of the sprinters’ teams and their ability to control the race.
The Paris-Nice race continues to be a key early-season indicator of form for riders targeting the major Grand Tours later in the year. Lamperti’s victory will undoubtedly provide a boost to his confidence and establish him as a rider to watch throughout the week.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of Paris-Nice 2026.
