It has been a while since Montargis saw its last pro-peloton. In 2010, the Tour de France finished in the delightful town in the Gâtinais region. Mark Cavendish took the spoils ahead of Gerald Ciolek and Edvald Bosson Hagen. Five years before that it was Robbie McEwen who outgunned Tom Boonen.
The last Paris-Nice finish in Montargis was even longer ago. In 2004, Pedro Horrillo turned out on top in a race that was pepped up by crosswinds. Which seems to be the only way to prevent a regular bunch sprint this time also. Two minor hills in the first part of the route, the rest is flat.
Montargis bills itself as the Venice of the Gâtinais. Nestling on the crosspoints where several canals and rivers meet, its 131 walkways and footbridges form an intricate latticework.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint comes with 6, 4 and 2 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 2 Paris-Nice 2024.
Another interesting read: results 2nd stage 2024 Paris-Nice.
Paris-Nice 2024 stage 2: route, profiles, videos
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