The organizers of Paris-Nice unveiled this Wednesday the route of the 2021 edition, which will take place from March 7 to 14 and for which the French teams B&B Hotels P / B KTM, Arkéa – Samsic and Total Direct Energie have received an invitation .
On March 14, Paris-Nice stopped at a stage of the end, in Valdeblore, due to the coronavirus pandemic which would lead France to confine itself three days later. The beginning of the end for World Tour cyclists, who had to wait until August 1 to resume competition. This year, the organizers hope that the race will be able to come to an end, scheduled for March 14 on the Promenade des Anglais, after the traditional eight stages.
The route of the 79th edition of the Race to the Sun was unveiled this Wednesday, and 1239 kilometers will be on the program. Following the partnership signed between Paris-Nice and the Department of Yvelines, the start will once again be given from 78, with two loops around Saint-Cyr-L’Ecole. Four third category climbs will be on the menu, which could trap some sprinters. Then the riders will head south, with a second almost flat stage, reserved for sprinters a priori, but where the Beauce wind could thwart some plans. Tuesday will be reserved for an individual time trial of 14.4 kilometers around Gien, with a rather complicated final ramp.
A fourth eventful stage?
Then things will get tough during the fourth stage, with six second category climbs (including a double ascent of Mont Brouilly, in the Rhône) and the arrival at the top of Chiroubles, classified in first category (6% average) . “We needed an eventful stage early enough in the race,” explains race director François Lemarchand. Runners tend to take their bearings, and it’s up to us to change their habits! “. The sprinters should be at the party again on Thursday, between Vienne and Bollène.
Then it will be the backpackers’ turn the next day, with five listed coasts, including one of the first category (the Cabris coast, in the Alpes-Maritimes). Finally, the weekend should see the big leaders clash, with the climb of the Col de Vence and the Colmiane (6.3% on average) on Saturday, and the Côte de Paille (6.8%) on Sunday, before arrival on the Promenade des Anglais. Maximilian Schachmann, winner of the 2020 edition after wearing the yellow jersey from the first to the last day, will he achieve the double? To see… For this 2021 edition, in addition to the 19 World Tour teams, and the Alpecin-Fenix team, first in the UCI ProTeams 2020 ranking, three French teams have received an invitation: B&B Hotels P / B KTM, Arkéa – Samsic and Total Direct Energie. There is now a crucial question to be addressed: will the public have the right to meet on the side of the road?
☀ Here is the route of the 7⃣9⃣th edition of #ParisNice !
☀ Here is the route of the 7⃣9⃣th edition of #ParisNice! pic.twitter.com/02IIKio3wu
– Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) January 6, 2021
The Paris-Nice 2021 route
Sunday March 7, 1st stage: Saint-Cyr-L’École> Saint-Cyr-L’École, 166 km
Monday March 8, 2nd stage: Oinville-sur-Montcient> Amilly, 188 km
Tuesday March 9, 3rd stage: Gien> Gien, 14.4 km (time trial)
Wednesday March 10, 4th stage: Chalon-sur-Saône> Chiroubles, 188 km
Thursday March 11, 5th stage: Vienne> Bollène, 203 km
Friday March 12, 6th stage: Brignoles> Biot, 202.5 km
Saturday March 13, 7th stage: Nice> Valdeblore La Colmiane, 166.5 km
Sunday March 14, 8th stage: Nice> Nice, 110.5 km
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