Paris-Nice

Where: France

When: March 6-13, 2022

Rank: UCI WorldTour

Paris-Nice enters its 80th edition in 2022, and the UCI WorldTour event is expected to boast a star studded list of general classification leaders.

The 2022 Paris-Nice route has been announced, and the stage looks set to create an exciting race. Highlights include the inclusion of the Turini Pass, which in 2019 saw Egan Bernal clinch the overall win, with Dani Martínez the stage victor. 

The race will begin in the northern Yvelines department in France. The early stages promise potentially decisive crosswinds, as riders traverse the plains of the Parisian Basin, the Beauce and this year Indre and Creuse. 

Steep climbs on stage four carry the potential to shake things up, with yet more climbing the following day - stage five's ascent will add up to a total of 3,350 metres. Stage six will be the longest day, covering 213.6km, before the penultimate stage and a climb of the Turini Pass. 

The final stage leaves plenty of room for GC movement, with riders facing the Col d’Eze, Paris-Nice's famous final climb - though this 2022 edition will use an alternative ascent, increasing the gradient from 6.1 per cent to 7.6 per cent. 

Paris-Nice history 

The eight-stage event, often referred to as the 'Race to the Sun', typically opens in wintry conditions near Paris before concluding in the warmer, Mediterranean city of Nice.

Hilly parcours mean the favourites are usually climbers, and recent victors include two-time winner Max Schachmann, 2019 Tour de France winner Egan Bernal, 2018's Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, as well as Bradley Wiggins, Richie Porte and Alberto Contador.

Going further into the history books, other winners include the likes of Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx, while Sean Kelly claims the most win with seven, in the 1980s.

Paris-Nice is organised by ASO, the same outfit behind races such as the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix.

The 2020 event was the last international cycling event, and the last sporting event in France, before mass gatherings were cancelled due to Covid-19. 

In 2022, the riders will cover a total distance of 1,196.6km over the eight days, with the route featuring stage finishes at Orléans, Montluçon and Aubagne, to name a few.

Paris-Nice 2022 stages

Stage 1: Mantes-la-Ville - Mantes-la-Ville, 159.8km
Stage 2: Auffargis - Orléans, 159.5km
Stage 3: Vierzon - Dun-le-Palestel, 190.8 km
Stage 4: Domérat - Montluçon, 13.4km (time-trial)
Stage 5: Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert - Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut, 188.8km
Stage 6: Courthézon - Aubagne, 213.6km
Stage 7: Nice - Col de Turini La Bollène-Vésubie, 155.4 km
Stage 8: Nice - Nice, 115.6km

Paris-Nice: Recent winners

2021: Max Schachmann (Ger)
2020: Max Schachmann (Ger)
2019: Egan Bernal (Col)
2018: Marc Soler (Esp)
2017: Sergio Henao (Col)
2016: Geraint Thomas (GBr)
2015: Richie Porte (Aus)
2014: Carlos Betancur (Col)
2013: Richie Porte (Aus)
2012: Bradley Wiggins (GBr)
2011: Tony Martin (Ger)
2010: Alberto Contador (Spa)
2009: Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa)
2008: Davide Rebellin (Ita)
2007: Alberto Contador (Ita)
2006: Floyd Landis (USA)

Key info: Paris-Nice route | Paris-Nice start list | TV guide

Website: Paris-Nice