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Boonen leaves his rivals trailing
 World champion Boonen proved too hot for his Paris-Nice race rivals BELLEVILLE, France (Reuters) -- World champion Tom Boonen outclassed his rivals again by charging to his second successive stage win in the Paris-Nice race on Tuesday. The Belgian outsprinted Australian Allan Davis and Italy's Danilo Napolitano over the final 300 metres to win the 200-km stage from Cerilly to Belleville. Boonen retained the yellow jersey after establishing a 17-second lead over prologue winner and defending champion Bobby Julich. Kazakhstan's Andrey Kashechkin is third overall - a further second adrift. Having won the first two stages in 2005, Quick Step team leader Boonen will be hoping the feat will once again spark a successful season. Last year, the Belgian followed up his promising showing in France by winning some of the most prestigious classics on the cycling calendar -- the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix -- en route to capturing the world championship. Unheralded Frenchman Nicolas Crosbie had earlier surprised the favorites when he broke away in the opening kilometer and stayed in front for 185 km. At one point he held a 27 minute, 30 second lead but was caught by the chasing pack 15 kms from the finishing line. "It was a special stage today with a rider in the front all day," said Boonen. "It was not easy to decide how to react. Finally we decided to take the reins and we caught him at the very last minute to finally battle it out in a great sprint." Crosbie, who had also staged unsuccessful breakaways in the recent Tour of Qatar and Tour of Mediterranean, was frustrated with his inability to win the stage. But he felt his performance justified the decision by Tour de France organizers to award his Agritubel team a wildcard. "I'm very disappointed and I begin to lose hope about winning my first pro victory at last. But at least it show we deserve to take part in the Tour de France," he said. Crosbie claimed the best climber's jersey as a consolation prize. Wednesday's 168.5 km third stage will be between Julienas in the Beaujolais vineyards and St Etienne. 
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