Paris to Nice cycle race 2016
The world's top cyclists head to the South of France in the "Race to the Sun"
The 2016 edition of the highly prestigious cycle race “Paris-Nice”, referred to as the “race to the sun”, takes place between Sunday 6th March to Sunday 13th March and will be the 74th edition of this legendary early season race.
Contested by all the worlds top cycling teams, the race is considered a strong pointer for the rest of the season and is indeed a real indicator as to potential Tour de France contenders in July.
Starting in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine on the western outskirts of Paris and heading pretty much due south and concluding in Nice on the Mediterranean coast, the race sees last years winner Richie Porte attempting to win the race for a third time. Porte will be riding in the colours of his new team, Swiss based outfit, BMC Racing.
Stage 4 on Thursday 10th March sees the riders race between Julienas, to the north west of Lyon, to Romans-sur-Isere which is only 50 miles west of Grenoble. The stage 4 finish is only around 80 miles and 1 hour 45 minutes drive from the ski resorts of Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes.
A full compliment of the worlds leading teams will be trying to show there credentials in this always hugely competitive stage race. Alberto Contador, in his final season, will be keen to add to his 2 previous wins in the event and will again be in the colours of Saxo Tinkoff.
Meanwhile Team Sky will led by Welsh rider Geraint Thomas, “Big G” will no doubt relish the opportunity to lead an always strong Team Sky, and will surely be in contention for the race leaders maillot jaune.
Stage 5 on Friday 11th March sees the riders race between Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux to Salon de Provence, and along the way the riders will tackle the lower slopes of the mighty Mont Ventoux – “The Giant of Provence” – with the race starting the climb in the gorgeous village of Bedoin before embarking on the climb to the famous Chalet Reynard, before making their way to Salon de Provence.
The final stage starts and finishes in Nice with the riders climbing the iconic Col d’Eze, to the North of nice, along the way before the grand finish on the Promende des Anglais in Nice.
So if you happen to be in the Alpes or around the Nice area, then why not take the opportunity to see the worlds top riders in action.
The race is orgainised by ASO (the organisers of the Tour de France) and offers fans the chance to get a lot closer to the riders than you do at the tour. The races starts with a short 6.1 km prologue time trail, before 7 further stages which sees the riders cover 1,290 km en-route to Nice. Click on the website link above for more information.
