This Sunday marks the start of Paris-Nice. The week promises to be intense, with many world-class riders.
The 79th edition of Paris-Nice begins this weekend. The race promises to be exciting. German rider Maximilian Schachmann (BORA-hansgrohe) will have a tough challenge defending his title. Many top-tier riders are present in the event, such as Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo-Visma), Tao Geoghegan Hart (INEOS-Grenadiers), or the French riders David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), and Guillaume Martin (Cofidis). The suspense is expected to last throughout the week. There will also be fierce battles for stage victories. The world’s top sprinters are also present, including Irishman Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and Frenchman Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ).
As for the route, it is extremely varied. While the first stages might favor sprinters or punchers, the leaders will soon be put to the test, with a 14.4 km time-trial around Gien on Tuesday, followed by a summit finish on Wednesday, in Chiroubles. The riders will reach Biot on Friday. The queen stage, scheduled for Saturday, will link Nice to Valdeblore La Colmiane (166.5 km). Differences in the general classification could occur during this penultimate stage. Finally, the last day of racing, next Sunday, will be a final loop around Nice (110.5 km). A great program is in store. This edition should once again be exciting.
The Route
☀ Here is the route of the 79th edition of #ParisNice!
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) January 6, 2021
Main Participants
Team Qhubeka Assos: Walscheid (Ger), Aru, Nizzolo (Ita), Henao (Col)
BORA-hansgrohe: Schachmann, Ackermann (Ger), Grossschartner (Aut)
Team DSM: Kragh Andersen (Den), Benoot (Bel), Hindley (Aus)
Team BikeExchange: Matthews (Aus)
Bahrain Victorious: Colbrelli (Ita), Poels (Ned), Teuns (Bel)
Deceuninck-Quick Step: Cavagna (Fra), Bennett (Irl)
Lotto Soudal: Degenkolb (Ger), Gilbert, De Gendt (Bel)
Intermarché-Wanty Gobert Matériaux: Eiking (Nor), Meintjes (RSA)
Alpecin-Fenix: Philipsen (Bel)
UAE Team Emirates: Kristoff (Nor), Trentin (Ita), De la Cruz (Esp)
EF Education Nippo: Powless (USA), Nielsen (Den)
Trek-Segafredo: Elissonde (Fra), M. Pedersen (Den)
Movistar Team: Mühlberger (Aut), Rojas (Esp)
AG2R Citroën Team: Jungels (Lux), Naesen (Bel), Paret-Peintre (Fra)
Cofidis: Martin, Laporte (Fra)
Groupama-FDJ: Démare, Gaudu (Fra)
Total Direct Energie: Boasson Hagen (Nor), Latour, Vuillermoz (Fra)
Team Arkéa-Samsic: Barguil, Bouhanni (Fra)
B&B Hotels p/b KTM: Coquard, Hivert (Fra)
Israel Start-Up Nation: Hofstetter (Fra)
Astana-Premier Tech: Lutsenko (Kaz), Vlasov (Rus), Fraile, LL.Sanchez (Esp)
Jumbo-Visma: Roglic (Slo), Bennett (NZL), Kruijswijk (Ned)
INEOS-Grenadiers: Geoghegan Hart (Gbr), Porte, Dennis (Aus)
Comments
Richie Porte (INEOS-Grenadiers): “I’m not really in a position to express my ambitions for this Paris-Nice. I just got back from Australia and it’s already a very difficult race to win under normal circumstances. Right now, I have no idea what kind of shape I’m in. I’ve only raced in January in Australia whereas my competitors have participated in races of already high level in Europe. Paris-Nice is not an easy race to win, so having won it twice is gratifying. It’s a special event for me. Living in Monaco, I mainly train on the roads around Nice. I feel like I’m racing at home towards the end of the week. It’s also a treacherous race, with side winds in the first few days and mountains on the second weekend. It’s a tough event for everyone. We have a very strong team for this Paris-Nice. I would like to play a role in a collective movement, helping the group to win, whoever it may be. Above all, I’m very eager to race again!”
Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ): “Paris-Nice is a race I really like and that suits me well. I’ve won three stages there and worn the yellow jersey. Like everyone, I don’t necessarily enjoy the cold and rain, but I can handle them. Often, I manage to position myself well, so the wind and echelons don’t scare me, although sometimes I can also be trapped. Since the restart, I haven’t yet reached my best level, and I’m eager for the work done this winter to pay off. I’m not worried, especially since I know all my teammates are strong. We’re going to race with David Gaudu, he knows how to position himself to stay in contact with us on flat stages. He’s shown he’s got very good legs, and he’ll be with us to fight in the echelons.”
David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ): “Paris-Nice is my first major goal of the season. I can’t deny I’m happy having won last weekend, it gives me confidence. The first stages of Paris-Nice are reserved for sprinters, the classics riders. On my side, I can rely on Arnaud Démare’s train. Ideally, it would be great to secure a sprint win and not lose time in the general classification. Then, I’ll have to handle a 14-kilometer time-trial in Gien, it’ll be a good gear-grinding session. In mid-week, there will be the beautiful Chiroubles stage, Bruno Armirail will be very important for me; I hope to be there for this first mountain top finish. The final stage is perhaps my favorite, anything can happen!”
Guillaume Martin (Cofidis): “For me, this remains a warming-up race with the winter I’ve had and having finished the 2021 season at the Vuelta. I approach it without pressure but of course motivated. We know that the beginning of the week of this race is quite crucial, so we’ll have to try and pass through unscathed, not lose time foolishly in the echelons or crashes, attempt a good time-trial, and depending on that, see if a good general classification is possible. If not, we’ll have to refocus more on a stage victory. Christophe Laporte also arrives in great shape and could have his chance to shine. We have a solid team for both flat and mountain stages. We’re likely to see Cofidis in action throughout the week!”
