The riders usually head south in the Race to the Sun, but this year’s 4th stage is the exception that proves the rule. The route cuts eastwards across Burgundy. Initially, the riders encounter no real obstacles; the first challenge only comes after 127 kilometres. It’s the Côte de la Croix des Cerisiers, a 6.2-kilometre climb at 4.3%. Shortly after cresting the top, the road continues to rise briefly before a long descent takes the riders down to Autun, at the foot of the Côte de la Croix de la Libération. This climb stretches 4.6 kilometres at 5.3%.
From the Côte de la Croix de la Libération, 23 kilometres remain to the finish and this section is perfectly suited to inspire flat-out racing. First, the riders descend to Mevres, and after a few kilometres on the flat the final climb begins in Étang-sur-Arroux. The finale section totals 8 kilometres at 4.5%, yet the average gradient doesn’t do justice (at all) to the nature of the finale. It’s a rollercoaster ride, with the road rising and falling repeatedly.
The first 3 kilometres ramp up at just under 6%, followed by a short descent and a 1-kilometre section at 7%. Another brief downhill precedes a further kilometre at 7%, leading onto a gently descending false flat that ends 2 kilometres from the line. That final stretch averages just under 10%, but even that is misleading — the opening kilometre hits 6.5%, while the very last kilometre ramps up to 12.8%!
The first three riders across the line gain 10, 6 and 4 bonus seconds, while the intermediate sprint offers 6, 4 and 2 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 4 Paris-Nice 2026.
Stage 4 of Paris–Nice starts at 12:10 and the race is expected to finish around 17:00 – both local times (CET).
Paris-Nice 2026 stage 4: route, profile, videos
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