2018 Paris-Nice Route Revealed
The 76th edition of Paris-Nice will take place from Sunday, March 4th to Sunday, March 11th 2018
Paris-Nice goes way back to 1933 and after the Grand Tours, is one of the most important stage races on the European cycling calendar.
Sergio Henao took the overall victory by only two seconds in 2017. Contador and Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors) got the second and third position of the podium. Contador attacked on the last stage and lit up the race, at several points he was the virtual race leader on the road.
The 2018 route is similar to last year, with a short time trial halfway through the race, a summit finish on the penultimate day and a shorter hiller final stage around Nice that will surely animate the race.
Stage one: Chatou to Meudon, 135 km, Sunday March 4
The inaugural stage drawn between Chatou and Meudon reserves a final climb on which the peloton will have to suffer, which will especially suit the Puncheurs and Sprin Classic specialists, with an elevation of 1, 9 km at an average 6% average slope to reach the Observatory.
The riser to reach te top will take the first stage and the coveted paris Nice leader's jersey.
Stage 2: Orsonville > Vierzon, 187 km, Monday March 5
The second stage head south through Northern France and is failry flat, a stage that will most come down to a bunch Sprint, one for the fast men.
Stage 3: Bourges > Châtel-Guyon, 210 km, Tuesday March 6
At 210 km, stage 3 is the longest stage which is again relatively flat befor a run into a finishing circuit in Châtel-Guyon, a stage that will most come down to a bunch Sprint, another one for the fast men.
Stage 4: La Fouillouse > Saint-Étienne, 18.4 km (ITT), Wednesday March 7
A rendezvous is set in Saint-Etienne, with an individual time trial of 18.4 km where the strong men will be called on to reveal themselves and take time in the overall classification.
Stage 5: Salon-de-Provence > Sisteron, 163.5 km, Thursday March 8
The first mountain stage as the race continues to head south into the Alps. The stage could see a daring breakaway and riders attack and could see the Sprinters struggling to hang onto into the fortifications of Sisteron.
This time, the first act featuring the mountaineers will be played on the stage of Vence, that the peloton will undoubtedly reach scattered, after having crossed the coast of the Colle-sur-Loup 10 km from the finish
Stage 6: Sisteron > Vence, 188 km, Friday March 9
The first mountain stage features 6 climbs, five category 2 climbs and category one climb of Cote de la Colle-Sur-Loop 10 kms from the finish. The overall leaders will need to be on guard and arrive at the final climb having reeled in any breakaway to control the race and maintin their lead.
The Spinters are surely to struggle on this stage and time gaps are likely to open up. This will be stage you won't want to miss!
Stage 7: Nice > Valdeblore La Colmiane, 175 km, Saturday March 10
Having reached Nice, the penultimate stage finishes stop the climb of Valdeblore La Columaine which is a 16.3 km climb at 6.2% aftre traversing three category 2 climbs and another category one climb.
Again the stage could see a daring breakaway, but the action will likely come down to the final climb atop Valdeblore La Columaine as the overall leaders battle it out. This will be stage you won't want to miss either!
Un superbe décor pour une arrivée au sommet / A stunning scenery for a summit finish! #ParisNice pic.twitter.com/KSqwytTLjQ
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) January 9, 2018
Stage 8: Nice > Nice, 110 km, Sunday March 11
Like last year, the final stage could be the most deciding for the overall winner.
Last year Sergio Henao clung onto overall victory by only two seconds as Contador attacked and lit up the race, at several points he was the virtual race leader on the road. He was out sprinted on the line and lost valuable points having had to do all the work with his two breakaway compainions to the line.
At several points Contador was the virtual race leader on the road resulting in a nail biting finish. Don't miss this stage either!
