Dutchman Lars Boom beat cold, windy conditions and all the favourites to claim the first yellow jersey of this year's Paris-Nice race yesterday.

The 24-year-old Rabobank rider won the eight-km prologue in the picturesque town of Montfort-l'Amaury, near Paris, in 10 minutes and 56 seconds, on a hilly, demanding course.

Veteran German Jens Voigt, the oldest man in the race at 38, was three seconds adrift with American Levi Leipheimer, third, six seconds off the pace.

Pre-race favourite and Tour de France champion Alberto Contador had to be content with fourth place, also six seconds behind.

The race ends in Nice next Sunday.

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