The road rises, on the Race to the Sun, this Wednesday, March 6.
For this fourth stage, the riders will have to tackle several difficult passes and climbs in a 183 km long stage.
The peloton will thus pass twice to the summit of Mont Brouilly.
But before climbing this Beaujolais mountain, several difficulties will punctuate the first part of an eventful stage.
🙌 The double passage of Mont Brouilly for the 4th stage of #ParisNice should start to decide between the favorites.
🙌 The double pass of Mont Brouilly on stage 4 of #ParisNice should begin to separate the favourites.
pic.twitter.com/tVuDj15RyQ
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) February 15, 2024
At km 33, it is the second category hill of Mont-Saint-Vincent (2.9 km at 6.3%) which will present itself under the wheels of the runners.
The peloton will then continue with three other second category passes: the Col de Boubon (4.4 km at 6%), the Col de Vauxrenard (3.2 km at 6.7%) and the Col de Durbize (2.2 km at 9.4%).
Short but extremely steep climbs, which should cause an initial skimming.
The slope will then rise again with a first passage to the summit of Mont Brouilly (3 km at 7.7%) 40 km from the finish.
Then it is a 1st category pass that the favorites of Paris-Nice, in this case the Col du Fût Avenas (5.1 to 7.3%), will have to contend with.
To finish with this tough fourth stage, the cyclists will have to climb Mont Brouilly one last time, where the finish will be judged.
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
A copious program for this first day at altitude.
Candidates for the general, such as Remco Evenepoel, David Gaudu or even Primoz Roglic, could test themselves during this stage in Beaujolais.
The victory could also go to a breakaway of adventurers who form at the start of the stage.
During the last passage to the summit of Mont Brouilly, it was the tricolor Julian Alaphilippe who won.
It was during a 14.5 km time trial between Beaujeu and Mont Brouilly in 2017.