Germany's Marcel Kittel sprints to victory for Team Argos-Shimano; Team Cannondale Pro Cycling's Elia Viviani takes overall Paris-Nice lead from former race leader Nacer Bouhanni who abandons race after crash.

Nacer Bouhanni (Francaise des Jeux) has sprinted to victory in Stage 1 of Paris-Nice 2013.

French champion Nacer Bouhanni sprints to stage 1 victory in 2013 Paris-Nice for Team FDJ. Team Lampre's Alessandro Petacchi takes 2nd and Elia Viviani crosses the finish line in third position for Team Cannondale Pro Cycling.

Damien Gaudin (Europcar) has won the Paris-Nice prologue. Gaudin blazed over the flat, technical, 2.9-km course in Houilles, France in 3:37, pipping Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) by 0:01 and Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil-DCM) by the same margin.

Team Europcar's Damien Gaudin surprisingly takes victory in 2013 Paris-Nice prologue. Omega Pharma-QuickStep's Sylvain Chavanel finishes one second behind, followed by Lieuwe Westra of Team Vacansoleil.