For the fifth stage of the Race to the Sun, runners will have to cover the distance of 193.5 km, on a hilly course.
After climbing the Beaujolais mountains, the peloton will set off from Ardèche and the town of Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut to reach the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the town of Sisteron, this Thursday, March 7.
Many small hills will present themselves under the wheels of the runners.
🤔 Escape or sprint?
In Sisteron, many riders will be candidates for victory during stage 5 of #ParisNice!
🤔 Breakaway or sprint?
In Sisteron, many riders can aim for victory on stage 5!
pic.twitter.com/mO2XccsomT
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) February 19, 2024
The first difficulty, placed at km 82, will be the 3rd category pass of Sausse (2.6 km at 5.2%).
Three other 3rd category climbs will follow, with the Col de Peyrurgue (5.3 km at 4.9%), the Côte de La Rochette-du-Buis (2.3 km at 5.4%) and finally the Col de Pigières (2.6 km at 5%).
The intermediate sprint will be located in Sisteron 10 km from the finish line.
The rugged profile of the stage could benefit the adventurers and the escapees the day after a difficult mountainous stage which potentially tired the peloton.
🤔 Escape or sprint?
In Sisteron, many riders will be candidates for victory during stage 5 of #ParisNice!
🤔 Breakaway or sprint?
In Sisteron, many riders can aim for victory on stage 5!
pic.twitter.com/mO2XccsomT
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) February 19, 2024
During the last arrival of Paris-Nice in Sisteron, in 2018, it was Direct Énergie rider Jérôme Cousin who won ahead of his breakaway partner Nils Politt.
The two adventurers had narrowly beaten the sprinters in the peloton.
An encore repetita will be possible this Thursday.
The sprinters could also seize their chances tomorrow, if they manage to cross the various third category passes and climbs.
Pedersen, Coquard, Matthews, Mezgec and even Démare therefore have the profile to take part in the fight for stage victory.