Luck of the Irish

Paris Nice is currently underway with Gustav Erik Larsson winning the opening stage. Today we look back at the history of Paris Nice which started in 1933 as a result of event organiser, Albert Lucas, who wanted to promote two of his newspapers (Le Petit Journal and Le Petit Nice). The first edition of the race was won by Belgian, Alphonse Schepers. Pictured, Sean Kelly, is the only professional rider to have won the Paris Nice race on seven consecutive occasions from 1982 to 1988. Within these seven wins he had 14 stage victories as well. Last year Der Panzerwagen, Tony Martin, had taken the honours, who will it be this year?