The Paris-Nice race began last Sunday with flat stages and another mountain stage yesterday at the Montagne de Lure. But it’s this weekend that things might really interest you with the finish on the Promenade des Anglais tomorrow afternoon and the time trial on Sunday between Nice and the Col d’Eze. Here’s an overview and a brief update on the race.
The Paris-Nice is always a great preparation for the upcoming Tour de France. Over a week of racing, the 176 riders who start the “Route du Soleil” test themselves on this treacherous course. After the Prologue, there were flat stages between Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Nemours, Vimory and Cérilly, Châtel-Guyon and Brioude; and a final more hilly stage between Brioude and Saint-Vallier, things got serious yesterday with a finish at La Montagne de Lure.
The first true mountain stage benefited a few climbers. The most opportunistic was Richie Porte. The Sky rider made a big move by attacking 1.7 km from the finish, leaving Andrew Talansky, the former leader of Paris-Nice, behind on the tarmac. He achieved a double blow by taking the Yellow Jersey. However, be cautious, the gaps in the General Classification are still very tight before the last two stages and he will have to contend with his closest competitors (1). The top French rider in the general classification is Jean-Christophe Péraud, lying 49 seconds behind the leader. First answers will come tomorrow with the longest stage of the Paris-Nice between Manosque and Nice (220 km).
Tomorrow, the finish will occur on the Promenade des Anglais. A grueling stage with several challenges, the main ones being the Côtes de Cabris and Ferrier, classified as first category climbs. Differences can easily emerge during the ascents before descending towards Tourrettes-sur-Loup and then Nice. If a breakaway of a few riders forms, it could lead to the end. For the winner, they will need to be a good climber, descender, and rouleur at once. Another possibility is a sprint finish. In that case, look for Marcel Kittel, Alessandro Pettachi, Elia Viviani, and others.
But it’s mainly on Sunday that the race equation could be significantly altered. With the time trial (9.6 km) and a finish on the heights of Eze, specialists are expected to create enough gaps to shake up the General Classification. The riders will have no respite. They will start directly from Boulevard Bischoffsheim towards the Observatoire road. A few false flats to recover before resuming the climb towards the Col d’Eze.
