The first stage of Paris-Nice was won in a sprint by American Luke Lamperti, faster than Vito Braet (Lotto Intermarchè) who finished second and Orluis Aular (Movistar). For the American, this is his second professional victory, but his first in the World Tour and for this reason it has a truly unique flavor.

"I think this is a truly special victory – said the twenty-three-year-old from EF Education-EasyPost – it's no secret that the team worked hard to get me to this victory. We managed to arrive well-positioned in the final and the guys pedaled at maximum all day, we gave our all and I think it was worth it. So we decided to go for it and managing to pull off this sprint is really special, and also for my morale, this is a great way to start with the new team".

Luke Lamperti is in his first year with EF Education-EasyPost and before his two seasons with Soudal Quick-Step, he grew up in Trinity, an American team where Ben Healy and Tom Pidcock also raced.

"It wasn't easy to make it to the end, because before reaching the sprint we had to survive a climb of a few kilometers. The climb was quite tough, but there was also Max (Walker) in the breakaway and he was very strong, so we had some cards to play if the breakaway worked. Even a victory that way would have been good for us. I think I can say that in the end we rode a good race".

The final kilometer of the first stage of Paris-Nice, 179 kilometers from Achères to Carrières-sous-Poissy was very hectic.
"Yes, it was really frantic. I had three men with me in the final: Asgreen, McKellar and Van den Berg. The sprint started quite early and my teammates managed to bring me to 200 meters from the finish line and then I went solo".

Winning so early with a new team is always something important, not only for yourself, but for the whole team as well.
"I think I'm doing well and getting a victory and starting my season with momentum, especially as a sprinter, is really important. So I think this is the most important victory of my career, and it will be fantastic for the rest of the season and will help keep morale high ahead of the spring Classics. I already feel quite at home with this team even though it's my first year and I'm having a lot of fun, so I think so far I can't complain about how things are going. Plus now I have a yellow jersey and a white jersey and I can't complain".

Tomorrow at the start of the second stage, for the first time Luke Lamperti will depart wearing the race leader's jersey and for him this will be a new experience. "I think having these jerseys tomorrow and wearing in particular the yellow leader's jersey will be super special. It will be my first time and it came with my first World Tour victory. So for me this is a day of many firsts and I want to enjoy every moment of this day and tomorrow".