Paris-Nice 2018: The Route

Paris-Nice runs from Sunday to Sunday. The race set off on the 4th of March to finish on the 11th. The route amounts to 1,187 kilometres and includes 27 climbs. The last three days of action feature the most vertical metres, while stage 4 is an ITT.

The 1st stage of Paris-Nice is just 135 kilometres and ends with a 1.9 kilometres climb at 6% to an Observatoire. The final 500 metres are on a cobbled road.

Stage 2 starts in the countryside southeast of Paris. The finish in Vierzon is likely to be a bunch sprint. Fast men have to be aware of the 4% gradient in the final 500 metres.

At 210 kilometres, the 3rd stage is the longest in this edition. It’s another leg that is suited to the sprinters, although it’s more bumpy than stage 2. The finale features an 1.5 kilometres stretch at 4.5% before the last kilometre is flat.

The 4th stage of Paris-Nice is an individual time trial of 18.5 kilometres. Two climbs – one gradual and one sharp – and rolling roads characterize the route between La Fouillouse and Saint-Étienne.

The route then transfers to the south of France for stage 5, which travels from Salon-de-Provence to Sisteron and heads deep into the Provence. A major climb halfway marks the route, while the last 1.8 kilometres are a false flat.

The 6th stage takes in six intermediate climbs with the Côte de la Colle-sur-Loup possibly decisive. The climb is only 1.8 kilometres but averaging 10%, and following a short descent the riders hit a 3 kilometres hill at 5,7% before the final 3 kilometres are flat.

Stage 7 is the Queen Stage of Paris-Nice 2018. At 175 kilometres, the route takes in four intermediate climbs, while the race ends in Valdeblore La Colmiane after a 16.3 kilometres closing climb at 6.2%.

The final stage is short and explosive. Only 110 kilometres and featuring no less than six intermediate climbs before a 9 kilometres drop into Nice. The Col des Quatre Chemins is the last climb: 5.5 kilometres and averaging 5.5%.