Paris-Nice 2014 Route stage 6: Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon - Fayence

Friday, March 14th - Stage 6 takes the riders on a 221.5 kilometre stage from Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon to Fayence. Tough ride, not much flat to be seen as might be expected in the Provence region. (Slideshow route/profile)

Paris-Nice 2014 stage 6: Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon-Fayence

The arrival village of Fayence is as charming as it is Provencal. It is located at an altitude of 350 metres. Fayence was founded by the Romans, who dubbed it Favienta Loca – meaning ‘pleasant place’. The thousands of tourists visiting the village annually couldn’t agree more.

The tourist season has yet to begin when the pack arrives in Fayence after a ride of 221.5 kilometres, making it the longest stage in Paris-Nice 2014, peppered with a series of nasty climbs. Col de Bourigaille is an interesting one, with it's summit about 20 kilometres from the finish line. In 2009 stage 5 passed over the Bourigaille in a disastrous day for Contador who forgot to eat enough and sealed victory for Luis Leon Sanchez.

Col de Bourigaille is 8.2 kilometres long with an average gradient of 5.9%.

Following a long descent a short, steep climb in the streets Fayence decides today's winner.

The stage starts at 10:35 (CET) and finishes around 16:00.