Retirement looms for Voigt

The38-year-old German, who suffered a cheekbone fracture and a concussionwhen he fell in the descent from the Col du Petit St Bernard last July,snatched the Paris-Nice yellow jersey after the third stage.

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

"At the Tour Down Under, I was not in good shape," Voigt said.

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

Voigtshowed he was back to business when he took fourth place overall in theRuta del Sol and on Wednesday, he was not far from winning the thirdstage of Paris-Nice.

"After the last climb, I was really on theedge. Alberto (Contador) wanted me to help him in the final kilometresbut 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."

Retirementis now looming for Voigt but the German wants to ride the ChampsElysees 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.