Paris-Nice 2021 route: Race will be decided by short time trial and two summit finishes
Full details of the 2021 Paris-Nice route have been published and it includes some appetising highlights.
Paris-Nice
Where: France
When: March 7-14 2021
Rank: UCI WorldTour
The crosswinds caused havoc in the opening stages of Paris-Nice (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)
Paris-Nice enters its 79th edition in 2021 and the UCI WorldTour event is expected to boast a star studded list of general classification leaders.
The eight stage event is sometimes called the ‘Race to the Sun’, because it typically opens in wintery conditions near Paris and concludes in the sunnier areas in or around Nice.
Hilly parcours mean the favourites are usually climbers, and recent former victors include 2020 winner Max Schachmann, 2019 Tour de France winner Egan Bernal, 2018’s Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas as well as Sir Bradley Wiggins, Richie Porte and Alberto Contador.
Going further into the history books, other winners include the likes of Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx, whist Sean Kelly claims the most win with seven, in the 1980s.
Paris-Nice is organised by ASO, the same outfit behind the likes of the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix.
Paris-Nice 2021 stages
The route for Paris-Nice 2021 has been confirmed go to our race route page for more information.
Paris-Nice 2021 route (Picture by Paris-Nice/ASO)
Stage one: Sun March 7, Saint-Cyr-L’École – Saint-Cyr-L’École, 166km
Stage two: Mon March 8, Oinville-sur-Montcient – Amilly, 188km
Stage three: Tue March 9, Gien – Gien 14.4km ITT
Stage four: Wed March 10, Chalon-sur-Saône – Chiroubles, 188km
Stage five: Thu March 11, Vienne – Bollène, 203km
Stage six: Fri March 12, Brignoles – Biot, 202.5km
Stage seven: Sat March 13, Nice – Valdeblore La Colmiane, 166.5km
Stage eight: Sun March 14, Nice – NIce, 110.5km
Paris-Nice: Recent winners
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
-
-
Thomas De Gendt uploads monster Paris-Nice stage seven ride to Strava
Thomas De Gendt went into the breakaway and gave his all to try and win the stage, but what does his Strava data look like?
-
'Of course we are going for the Tour de France victory': Reborn Nairo Quintana sets sights on yellow jersey
The Colombian set yet another climbing record during his maiden Paris-Nice stage win
-
Five talking points from Paris-Nice 2020
The French stage race is the last we're likely to have for some time
-
'People have always doubted if I could become a GC rider,' says Max Schachmann after Paris-Nice victory
The German hung on during the final climb of the race to secure the overall title
-
Nairo Quintana takes final stage seven as Max Schachmann hangs on for Paris-Nice overall victory
The Colombian took the summit finish victory as Schachmann survived to finish atop the GC
-
'I don't understand why the race is going on': Romain Bardet criticises continuation of Paris-Nice
The French rider says 'nothing really makes sense anymore' as Paris-Nice continues into its final day
-
Tiesj Benoot sails away to glorious victory on stage six of Paris-Nice 2020
Tiesj Benoot triumphed in remarkable fashion on stage six of Paris-Nice 2020, as Max Schachmann narrowly held his race lead after crashing in the final kilometre.
-
Paris-Nice to finish day early after cancellation of stage eight
ASO confirms the French race will end after Saturday's stage seven
-
Bahrain-McLaren pull out of Paris-Nice
Bahrain-McLaren have pulled out of Paris-Nice with three stages still to race.
-
Niccolò Bonifazio thwarts Jan Tratnik's breakaway heroics on stage five of Paris-Nice
Bonifazio stole the win from Tratnik with less than 100m of the stage remaining
-
Sam Bennett out of Paris-Nice after crash
Sam Bennett has pulled out of Paris-Nice, after suffering a nasty crash in the sprint finish of stage three.
-
Groupama-FDJ debut new disc brake time trial bike at Paris-Nice 2020
Groupama-FDJ unveiled a new time trial machine for 2020 on stage four of Paris-Nice.
-
Søren Kragh Andersen obliterates Paris-Nice 2020 time trial
Søren Kragh Andersen caught all the time trial favourites off-guard on stage four of Paris-Nice 2020 to take the stage.
-
Sam Bennett penalised after barging Nairo Quintana at Paris-Nice
Sam Bennett was penalised after stage three of Paris-Nice for shoving 59kg climber Nairo Quintana.
-
Strava data reveals how brutal opening stages of Paris-Nice really were
A look at some of the power put out in the crosswinds by some of the top riders in the opening stages of Paris-Nice 2020
-
Iván García surprises Peter Sagan to take stage three of Paris-Nice 2020
Iván García stormed to victory over Peter Sagan on stage three of Paris-Nice 2020, after a crash in the closing metres took out two of the sprint favourites.
-
'90 per cent of the peloton think the race won’t get to Nice,’ says Jasper Stuyven
Jasper Stuyven says 90 per cent of the peloton think Paris-Nice won’t reach it’s final destination.
-
Giacomo Nizzolo outlasts Pascal Ackermann to take hectic stage two of Paris-Nice 2020
Giacomo Nizzolo put in a perfect performance to take a breathless stage two of Paris-Nice 2020.
-
Paris-Nice will hold rest of race 'behind closed doors' because of coronavirus
Buffer zones will restrict public access at the start and finish
-
Warren Barguil blames 'grogginess' for Paris-Nice disqualification
The French rider was involved in a crash and then was kicked out of the race after drafting behind his team car
-
Warren Barguil disqualified from Paris-Nice for drafting team car
The French road race champion had come down in a nasty crash alongside Romain Bardet
-
Max Schachmann springs late surprise to take victory on stage one of Paris-Nice 2020
The German beat the likes of Julian Alaphilippe and Tiesj Benoot in the four-man sprint finish
-
Special measures introduced at Paris-Nice to reduce spread of coronavirus
Race organisers say there will be no contact between riders and public figures on podiums, as well as no press conferences held
-
Paris-Nice 2020 start list: Top riders start despite Coronavirus fears
Confirmed list of leading riders and teams taking part in Paris-Nice 2020
