Paris-Nice kicks into gear with a lumpy race near Paris. The finale of stage 1 is pepped up by the uphill cobbles of Neauphle-le-Château. The 1.4 kilometres climb at 7.8% is crested with 4.5 kilometres to go.
The 2nd stage and 3rd stage are tailor-made for fast finishers. That is, as far as the route is concerned. But it wouldn’t be the first time when crosswinds bring chaos in the opening stages of Paris-Nice.
Stage 4 is an individual time trial of 15.5 kilometres route on a lumpy and technical parcours. The race takes place in Julian Alaphilippe’s birthplace, Saint-Amand-Montrond.
At 227 kilometres, the 5th stage is the longest race on this year’s Race to the Sun. The route is not at all flat, but a sprint finish is just as likely as a breakaway day.
Stage 6 has breakaway written all over it. Following six intermediate climbs the finale is a 13 kilometres drop to the line, which is interrupted by a short kick-up inside the last 3 kilometres.
The Queen Stage is a mountainous test of 166.5 kilometres. Following three intermediate climbs the race comes down to the final haul up on the Valdeblore La Colmiane. The finish climb is 16.3 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 6.3%.
The final verdict of Paris-Nice will be the Valdeblore La Colmiane race, because the original final stage in the hills around Nice is cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.
Paris-Nice 2020: route, profiles, more
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