The cycling season is well and truly underway.
After the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the first classic of the season, contested this Saturday February 24, the first beautiful stage race, Paris-Nice, will begin this Sunday.
Eight stages, between Les Mureaux and Nice, are on the peloton's program.
Many riders who will undoubtedly shine during the next Tour de France, such as Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic or David Gaudu, have responded and will test their legs four months before the Grande Boucle.
1st stage: for punchers in Les Mureaux
No observation round in this 82nd edition of Paris-Nice.
From the 10th kilometer, after the departure from Les Mureaux, the runners will face the Côte de Bazemont (1.8 km at 6.5%), which will give them a foretaste of the end of the day.
After having overcome the other difficulty listed, the Côte d'Herbeville (2.6 km at 5%), the peloton will cover these two hills a second time, before heading towards the finish.
An already difficult stage probably reserved for punchers, even if sprinters capable of climbing like Bryan Coquard and Arnaud De Lie could do well.
Stage 1 🚩 @Les_Mureaux - @Les_Mureaux 🏁 157.7 km
💪 A tricky stage, exposed to the wind, of the great classic at the opening of #ParisNice.
💪 A few hills, exposed roads: already some great opportunities, as usual on stage 1 of #ParisNice.
pic.twitter.com/8XWrt8X3et
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) December 12, 2023
2nd stage: the sprinters' only real chance
For the sprinters who were unable to claim victory on this opening Sunday, they will have a second chance on Monday March 4 between Thoiry and Montargis.
Only two very short climbs, positioned at the start of the course, are planned, which should not disturb Arnaud Démare, Sam Bennett, Olav Kooij or Fabio Jakobsen, who will undoubtedly compete for victory.
Stage 2 🚩 Thoiry - Montargis 🏁 177.6 km
💨 A sprint awaits the peloton in Montargis, unless the wind gets involved!
💨 The wind may well prove to be the toughest opponent before a sprint in Montargis! #ParisNice pic.twitter.com/2PDnyAqPHV
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) December 12, 2023
Read alsoFrom the Paris-Nice exhibition to the future entertainment village… Les Mureaux are (already) under the pedal
3rd stage: a difficult team time trial
As in the majority of stage races, a time trial has been planned.
It will take place on Tuesday March 5, and will have the particularity of being contested by teams.
Planned around Auxerre, with the Côte de Jussy located right in the middle, it will allow big riders like Stefan Bissegger and Joshua Tarling to express themselves.
For the leaders, it will be a question of not losing too much time over these 27 km of effort.
Stage 3 ⏱🚩 @villedauxerre - @villedauxerre 🏁 26.9 km
⏱ Tested in 2023, the new team clm formula returns on a demanding course.
⏱ Tested in 2023, the new Team Time Trial formula is back with a punchy route.#ParisNice pic.twitter.com/hQmrgbipTO
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) December 12, 2023
4th stage: first arrival at the summit
After three days that are probably hectic but not conducive to gaps, the climbers will have a first opportunity to express themselves during the 4th stage, on Wednesday March 6 between Chalon-sur-Saône and Mont Brouilly.
During this Paris-Nice 2024, only two stages end at the top, this is the first.
Seven listed climbs are on the program, including the Col du Fût d'Avenas (5.2 km at 7.2%), classified in first category.
The finish will be judged at Mont Brouilly, after three kilometers of intense effort on slopes averaging 7.7%.
Stage 4 🚩 @Chalon_officiel - Mont Brouilly 🏁 183 km
⛰ A crucial stage for the candidates for final victory with no less than 3300m of D+!
⛰ A key stage for the GC contenders with more than 3300m of positive elevation!#ParisNice pic.twitter.com/Fv4aSeyZsb
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) December 12, 2023
Step 5: a day of transition
On Thursday March 7, the road will continue to climb, but it will be less steep.
Four 3rd category difficulties are planned on the course, enough to eliminate the majority of sprinters, but not the competitors for final victory.
The summit of the Col de la Pigière, the last climb of the route, is located almost 50 km from the finish.
A long descent will then take the runners to Sisteron.
Stage 5 🚩 Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut - Sisteron🏁 193.5 km
💚 An open stage that can suit adventurers and sprinters alike.
💚 It's an open stage that's suitable for both adventurers and sprinters.#ParisNice pic.twitter.com/wQzUXRihEl
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) December 12, 2023
6th step: resist before the final weekend
Time for the final fight, which should last three days.
The first, Friday March 8, will be the least difficult, but it could still do damage since five short difficulties are listed after the start in Sisteron.
The last, the Colle-sur-Loup climb, particularly short but very steep (1.8 km at 10.3%), will be very painful in particular, and could cause the less explosive climbers, more accustomed to long efforts, to give up. .
Stage 6 🚩 Sisteron - La Colle-sur-Loup🏁 197.4 km
🚲 Return to La Colle-sur-Loup after the missed meeting in 2023 due to the storm.
🚲 We're back in La Colle-sur-Loup after the canceled stage of 2023 due to the wind.#ParisNice pic.twitter.com/PPaBzirb1c
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) December 12, 2023
7th step: we gain altitude
They will find a more advantageous playing field on Saturday March 9, between Nice and Auron.
After a first climb, that of Gattières, in the first ten kilometers, the runners will head towards two big chunks: La Colmiane (7.5 km at 6.9%) and Auron (7.4 km at 6.9%).
Ideal climbs to create advantages that may already be decisive on the eve of the final arrival.
The battle between the two favorites, Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel, should be tough.
Stage 7🚩 @VilledeNice - Auron🏁 173 km
⛰ On Saturday in #ParisNice, it arrived at altitude on the menu!
And this one will be unique!
⛰ As usual on Saturday, we have an altitude finish on the menu of #ParisNice!
And this one will be a first!
pic.twitter.com/1FuMve577H
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) December 12, 2023
8th stage: the queen and final stage
For this 82nd edition of the race to the sun, the organizers decided to finish strong, with a short (109.3 km) but very difficult stage in the Nice hinterland.
Five listed difficulties are planned, without forgetting one not listed, the Col d'Eze (1.6 km at 9.1%), which will still hurt your paws a lot.
Victory could be decided on the last climb, the Col des Quatre Chemins (3.8 km at 8.1%), the summit of which is nine kilometers from the final finish.
Stage 8 🚩 @VilledeNice - @VilledeNice 🏁 109.3 km
🏁 Usual route, but this time we will finish with the Col des Quatre Chemins and not the long descent towards Nice.
🏁 A well-known course, but this time we will finish with the Col des Quatre Chemins and not Eze.#ParisNice pic.twitter.com/3aV46x355D
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) December 12, 2023