Paris-Nice 2022 Route stage 4: Domérat - Montluçon

Wednesday 9 March - As per usual, an ITT happens halfway through the Race to the Sun. The route takes the riders over a rolling 13.4 kilometres course with a 700 metres climb at 8.6% to the line.

While Montluçon hosted six stage finishes on the Tour de France, the Race to the Sun finished three times in the town in the Auvergne region of south-central France. Sylvain Chavanel won the last Tour stage finish (2008), Tom Steels was the last Paris-Nice stage winner in Montluçon. The Belgian sprinter celebrated in 1997.

Who will it be this time? A time trialist, obviously. The course is mostly a mix of flat and false flat sections, while the second kilometre goes up at 5.1% and the last 700 metres at 8.7%. The last climb is extra tricky because 1 kilometres at 2.3% precedes it.

The only time check appears after 7 kilometres.

Last year, Stefan Bissegger won the Paris-Nice time trial, although Rémi Cavagna finished in the same time. That course was less undulating, but also featured a short finish climb.

Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 4.

Another interesting read: results 4th stage 2022 Paris-Nice.