Paris-Nice 2020 Route stage 7: Nice - Valdeblore La Colmiane

Saturday 14 March - The Queen Stage of Paris-Nice is a mountainous test of 166.5 kilometres. Following three climbs in the first 100 kilometres the final haul up on the Valdeblore La Colmiane amounts to 16.3 kilometres, while the average gradient sits at 6.3%. The finish climb tops out at an elevation of 1,500 metres.

The crucial climbing test of Paris-Nice comes on the seventh day of actions The summit finish on La Colmiane featured in the same role at the 2018 edition of the race, when Simon Yates triumphed ahead of Dylan Teuns and Ion Izagirre.

Following some 10 kilometres on virtually flat roads the route starts to climb to Gattières. The uncategorised ascent is the prelude to the Col de Vence. The road goes up for 9.7 kilometres at 6.6% before peaking out at some 1,000 metres.

The riders start to descend after 40 kilometres. It takes awhile before the Col de la Sigale appears. The 6.6 kilometres climb at 4.9% continues onto the Côte de Saint-Antonin, which is a 6.2 kilometres ascent at 5.3%.

Still 74.5 kilometres to go atop the Côte de Saint-Antonin. A long descent and an undulating section usher in the finish climb. Two intermediate sprints are situated in the final 35 kilometres, the last of which halfway up the Valdeblore La Colmiane.

The final haul up is 16.3 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 6.3%. So it is a big test, but also a gradual one. In the 2018’s Queen Stage – which was played out in wet and cold conditions – the GC contenders made their move after a gradual process of attrition. Simon Yates attacked with 4 kilometres to go and Ion Izagirre jumped to his wheel. But when Yates accelerated again he was alone. The Briton took the win, while Dylan Teuns overhauled Izagirre Basque in the dying metres to finish in second.

The first thee riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while two intermediate sprints (at kilometre 133.5 and at kilometre 161) come with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.