A new champion will be crowned at one of the most prestigious races on the calendar this year - the 71st edition of Paris-Nice.
Preview of 71st edition
A new champion will be crowned at one of the most prestigious races on the calendar this year - the 71st edition of Paris-Nice.
The race, the second on the 2013 UCI WorldTour, will be played out over eight days, with an opening prologue and concluding individual time trial bookending six road stages that include opportunities for sprinters, climbers and rouleurs alike.
With last year’s winner, Team Sky's Sir Bradley Wiggins, opting for a different programme in 2013 the fight for victory will be an intriguing one.
There are time bonuses and points on offer at both intermediate sprints and stage finishes.
Prologue: Sunday 3 March – Houilles individual time trial, 2.9km
Pan flat and only 2.9-kilometres long, this year’s prologue is set to be a frantic dash for the yellow jersey. The short distance could even take the advantage away from time trial experts and place it in the hands of sprinters or, more probably, those with a track background, such as pursuit riders.
Live coverage on British Eurosport 2 between 1430-1600 with highlights at 2015-2115 and 2330-0030 (BE1).
Stage one: Monday 4 March – Saint-Germain-en-Laye to Nemours, 195km
The opening stage sees the peloton set off on a flat route starting just north-west of Paris city centre and finishing south of the capital with a loop around Nemours. With only the category-four climb of the Cote de Buthiers after 119km providing any sort of obstacle, it is a perfect day for sprinters. The two intermediate sprints both come in the latter half of the day, 80km and 33km from the finish line.
Live coverage on British Eurosport between 1345-1515 with highlights at 1945-2045, 2100-2200 (BE2) and 2315-0015.
Stage two: Tuesday 5 March – Vimory to Cerilly, 200.5km
Another day for the sprinters as the race makes its way into the geographical centre of France, finishing with a 24km circuit around Cerilly. The two intermediate sprints are right at the start and end of the stage, coming after 15km and then with 18km to go. There are no categorised climbs to worry the sprinters, who will relish a flat run to the finish line.
Live coverage on British Eurosport between 1345-1515 with highlights at 1945-2045, 2100-2200 (BE2) and 2315-0015.
Stage three: Wednesday 6 March – Chatel-Guyon to Brioude, 170km
The parcours begins to get lumpier on the third road stage, which could lend itself to a one-day specialist coming to the fore. There are three categorised climbs along the rolling route, with the third-category Col de Potey and Cote de la Foret de la Comte coming after 85.5km and 95.5km respectively, and then, more significantly, the second-category Cote de Mauvagnat topping out 15.5km from the finish. At 2.7km long and averaging 6.7 per cent, all-rounders will no doubt drive up the pace on this final climb in a bid to shed the sprinters ahead of a flat, 10km run to the finish.
Live coverage on British Eurosport between 1345-1515 with highlights at 1945-2045, 2115-2215 (BE2) and 2340-0040.
Stage four: Thursday 7 March – Brioude to Saint-Vallier, 199.5km
The route heads east to the fringes of the Alps on another day that could suit a breakaway rider with strong climbing legs, while also potentially opening up gaps in the general classification. There are a total of seven categorised climbs on a hilly stage with hardly any flat sections of road. The first summit, the category-two Cote de Lachaud, comes just 11.5km in, so the attacking is likely to start right from the gun. Climbs of Cote de Condat (category two, 27.5km), Cote de la Chomasse (category three, 87.5km), Cote de Laprat (category three, 105.5km), Col du Rouvey (category three, 136km) follow, before a downhill section more than 30km long sets the riders up for back-to-back category-two ascents to end the day with. The steep Cote de Talencieux averages 8.1 per cent in gradient over its 2.9km length and summits with 23km to go, while the Cote de la Sizeranne provides the last obstacle 8.5km from the line, albeit a slightly gentler climb at 6.6 per cent average. From there, it’s a gentle downhill to the finish line.
Live coverage on British Eurosport between 1345-1515 with highlights at 1900-2000 and 2100-2200 (BE2).
Stage five: Friday 8 March – Chateauneuf-du-Pape to La Montagne de Lure, 176km
This is likely to be a key stage for the general classification, with the day ending in a summit finish on La Montagne de Lure. The climb up is a category-one, 13.8km ascent that averages 6.6 per cent in gradient and is likely to whittle down the field to the riders who will contend for overall victory on Col d’Eze two days later. The stage starts in the wine-making town of Cheateuneuf-du-Pape, before heading out east towards the Alps over five categorised climbs. A breakaway will no doubt be keen to get out early in order build up a gap in time for the category-two Col de Murs after 47km. The road rolls back down for an intermediate sprint at 67km, before rising back up the category-two Cote d’Oppedette at 85km. A trio of category-three climbs then follow at 123km, 134.5km and 152km, with another intermediate sprint squeezed in between at 149km, but the GC contenders will no doubt save their attacks until the potentially decisive La Montagne de Lure.
Live coverage on British Eurosport between 1415-1515 with highlights at 1900-2000 and 2330-0030.
Stage six: Saturday 9 March – Manosque to Nice, 220km
The peloton will make its way to Nice on the longest stage of this year’s race over a rolling parcours that heads uphill almost straight off the start line. The day offers another chance of a breakaway staying out, so the attacks will no doubt start on the category-three climb of Cote du Bois de Rousset, which tops out at after just 6.5km. Points classification contenders will have an eye on the intermediate sprint at 76.5km, which is quickly followed 11km later by the category-two Cote des Tuilieres. The route continues to undulate, before reaching the back-to-back category one climbs of Cote de Cabris and Col du Ferrier, with the latter summiting at 148.5km. With only a short downhill section between them, the two climbs are effectively one 20km-plus ascent on which the day could hinge. Following the climb are two small rises, after which the road turns downhill for a run home into Nice the best part of 60km long. Any remaining breakaway riders will have to work together effectively to maintain their advantage, while the peloton’s best descenders will be keen to gain vital time. There is also an intermediate sprint 34.5km from the finish.
Live coverage on British Eurosport 2 between 1415-1600 with highlights at 1800-1900 (BE1) and 2100-2200.
Stage seven: Sunday 10 March – Nice to Col d’Eze (individual time trial), 9.6km
A spectacular finish is guaranteed with an infamous uphill time trial. The fight for the overall title will play out in scenic surroundings, with the French Riveira in the background as the riders head north out of Nice, immediately out of the saddle as the climb hits its maximum of 8.5 per cent. Things level out slightly to a more comfortable five per cent before an intermediate split at the Col des Quatre Chemins. Another steep ramp follows for the next kilometre, before a number of switchback turns bring the riders into the final kilometre. The stage should suit the all-rounders and will see a deserving winner of Paris-Nice crowned.
Live coverage on British Eurosport 2 between 1415-1600 with highlights at 2030-2130 (BE1) and 2200-2300.
Team Sky history
Team Sky return to Paris-Nice 12 months on from Sir Bradley Wiggins’ historic first British triumph since Tommy Simpson in 1967. Wiggins dominated the race, taking the yellow jersey on stage one and never relinquishing it. The team are also looking for three podium finishes in a row after Wiggins finished third overall in 2011, while also going in search of another stage win keep their run of a win each year alive.
