François Lemarchand, the director of Paris-Nice, has unveiled the course for this 79th edition, and it’s safe to say there will be plenty of action!
The first major cycling competition organized in France this year will be held from March 7 to March 14, 2021. The peloton will start from Saint-Cyr-l’École in Yvelines for eight days of what promises to be a challenging race. While the first two stages are set for sprinters, the following ones will favor climbers and breakaway specialists. The individual time trial in Gien, despite its short distance, is expected to create the first gaps with a course designed for punchers.
The eight stages of Paris-Nice 2021:
1. 1st stage (Sunday, March 7): Saint-Cyr-l’École – Saint-Cyr-l’École (166 km)
2. 2nd stage (Monday, March 8): Oinville-sur-Montcient – Amilly (188 km)
3. 3rd stage (Tuesday, March 9): Gien-Gien (14.4 km, time trial)
4. 4th stage (Wednesday, March 10): Chalon-sur-Saône – Chiroubles (188 km)
5. 5th stage (Thursday, March 11): Vienne-Bollène (203 km)
6. 6th stage (Friday, March 12): Brignoles-Biot (202.5 km)
7. 7th stage (Saturday, March 13): Nice – Valdebore-La Colmiane (166.5 km)
8. 8th stage (Sunday, March 14): Nice-Nice (110.5 km)
This fairly balanced route will make team managers select some big names as a preparation for the Giro d’Italia. It could be an opportunity for spectators to see riders like Arnaud Démarre (best sprinter of the 2020 Giro), Tom Dumoulin, Thibaut Pinot, Geraint Thomas, Richard Carapaz, Warren Barguil, or Julian Alaphilippe, who clinched victory on the Promenade des Anglais in the last Tour de France.
COVID-19 as a major adversary?
As a reminder, the 2020 edition was not completed due to the onset of the health crisis. The race ended after the 7th stage. Since then, cycling has learned to live with the coronavirus. “We don’t know what will happen in two months, but we are prepared. We have a health protocol, the UCI does too. Last year, we had to establish new rules during the event. Now, they are already set: they have been applied since August 1, at the resumption of the calendar. We know more about our ability to react,” reassured François Lemarchand, the director of the event.
While the Tour de France edition went smoothly, riders will need to remain very vigilant and adapt to the situation, hoping to reach the finish in Nice this time.
