The ‘Race to the Sun’ begins with a prologue in Maurepas, located southwest of Paris. The next day stage 1 leads to Contres. It was here Greg Henderson outsprinted his 16 fellow-escapees in Paris-Nice 2010.
Stage 2 takes the riders to Saint-Amand-Montrond, one of the most central locations in France and famous from the 2013 Tour de France. In stage 13 Alejandro Valverde lost all hope after a day marked by cross-winds. Mark Cavendish sprinted to victory in Saint-Amand-Montrond, while Chris Froome suffered some damage, but not enough to thwart his overall win in Paris.
The finish of the 3rd stage, Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, is also known from the Tour of 2013. At that time it was departure-place of a hilly ride to Lyon. The stage was won by Matteo Trentin.
Stage 4 brings an uphill finish in La Croix de Chaubouret after a 14.9 kilometres climb at 5.4%. At an elevation of 1,202 metres, don’t be surprised if the riders see snow today.
The 5th stage leads from Saint-Etienne to Rasteau. In 2006, Paris-Nice featured the same route and Tom Boonen took the flowers.
After stage 6, the riders arrive in Nice and the final stage is a climbing time trial leading to the Col d’Eze.
Paris-Nice 2015: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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Route and profile Col d’Èze
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Streetview Col d’Èze
Col d’Èze at strava.com
