The 2016 edition of Paris-Nice will include a visit to the Chalet Reynard on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, a stage finish at the summit of the 15km Col de la Madone d’Utelle and include two dirt road sections during stage one to Vendôme.
Time trials will be less of a factor in the 74th edition of the race, with only a 6.1km individual time trial as the prologue stage around Conflans-Sainte-Honorine near the French capital. The so-called ‘Race to the Sun’ will end with a road race stage around Nice, with the Col d’Eze climb the last chance to attack before a fast descent to the finish. The French WorldTour race will be held between Sunday March 6 and Sunday March 13.
Details of the race route were revealed at a presentation on Thursday morning, with race director Christian Prudhomme also announcing that a Paris-Nice sportif will be held on Saturday March 12 on the same roads used during Sunday’s final stage. Called the Paris-Nice Challenge, two routes offer rides of 126km and 99km. Entries open on January 14 at the event website: asochallenges.com.
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Paris-Nice is traditionally the first European WorldTour stage race of the season and tests the form and ambitions of the Grand Tour riders who will fight for victory in the Tour de France in July. Richie Porte secured overall victory atop the Col d’Eze on the final day of the 2015 Paris-Nice and is likely to defend his title after moving to BMC for the new season. Vuelta a Espana winner Fabio Aru (Astana) has already confirmed he will ride as he prepares for his Tour de France debut in 2016.
Dirt roads, the Ventoux and Col d'Eze
The 2016 Paris-Nice has been designed to test riders' ability on all kinds of terrain. The opening 6.1km prologue time trial around Conflans-Sainte-Honorine will be a first test for the overall contenders. Stage one from Condé-sur-Vesgre to Vendôme is over 195 kilometres and includes two dirt tracks in the final loop near the city. Much of the stage is on exposed roads and so cross winds and echelons are expected to be a factor.
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