It’s not the Tour de France but Le Grand Prix d’Ouverture La Marseillaise as far as I am concerned marks the start of the road race season.  It was won by Jérémy Roy (Fra) FDJ. None of the big names like Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans or Thor Hushovd were there. In fact it was mainly French riders competing. But the fact that this year it took place on the same day as the World Cyclocross Championships tells me that winter is on the way out and spring and the Spring Classics is on the way.

The World’s Cyclocross was won in brilliant fashion by Zdenek Stybar. He first attacked on the fifth lap (of eleven)and only Sven Nys could stay with him, the attacked again with four laps left dropped Nys and soloed to victory.