Less than eight months after a horrific crash at the Tour de France, Jens Voigt is already looking ahead to this year's race.

The 38-year-old German, who suffered a cheekbone fracture and a concussion when he fell in the descent from the Col du Petit St Bernard last July, snatched the Paris-Nice race's yellow jersey on Wednesday.

But it was not an easy journey for the experienced Saxo Bank rider.

"At the Tour Down Under, I was not in good shape," he told reporters after Wednesday's third stage on the Paris-Nice race.

"I then went to training in Mallorca with the Schleck brothers (Andy and Frank) and took part in the Trophy of Mallorca."

Voigt showed he was back to business when he took fourth place overall in the Ruta del Sol and on Wednesday, he was not far from winning the third stage of Paris-Nice.

"After the last climb, I was really on the edge. Alberto (Contador) wanted me to help him in the final kilometres but I was really exhausted," said Voigt, the oldest rider in the race.

The German was fourth in a stage won by Slovakia's Peter Sagan, who at 20 is the youngest man in the field.

"He could be my son," said Voigt.

"Really, I think they should have a distinctive grey jersey for riders over 35."

Retirement is now looming for Voigt but the German wants to ride the Champs Elysees on his bike once more before leaving the peloton.

"I do not want to leave it after that stupid crash," he said.

"I want to see the Champs Elysees, say thank you and goodbye to the Tour de France."

This year's Tour would be Voigt's 13th, three shy of Dutchman Joop Zoetemelk's record of 16 participations.