The climbing starts to take shape in Paris-Nice 2015. It may not be the high mountains, but after leaving Saint-Amand-Montrond the road steadily rises to reach the Col de La Bosse (elevation 702 metres) with 97.5 kilometres done. Around 40 kilometres earlier the riders crested the Côte de la Croix du Chêne. Both are climbs of the 3rd category and the same holds true for the Côte de Vicq, 20 kilometres after the Col de La Bosse.
Sure, you don’t have to be a mountain goat to digest these three hills and as the final circuit of over 40 kilometres is flat, the ride may well explode in a bunch sprint. If so, it’s up to powerhouses like Kristoff and Degenkolb, since the last 475 metres go up by a 4.5% grade.
Among the French, Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule enjoys great fame as one of the oldest wine regions of the country that’s still in production. The town lies at the heart of France, right on Route nationale 9.
But not only wine connoisseurs know about the town. Cyclist enthusiasts will remember the 14th stage of the 2013 Tour de France left here. Back then a hilly stage took the riders to Lyon, with Matteo Trentin winning the kisses, while today’s race ends here.
The start of the 3rd stage is at 11.20 PM locale time, arrival is expected around 15.45 PM.
Paris – Nice 2015 stage 3: Images and more
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