Paris–Nice, AKA la Course au Soleil

Paris–Nice, AKA la Course au Soleil (the ‘Race to the Sun’), has long been one of our favourite races. Besides being traditionally the first European stage race of the season – the first chance to see the grand tour racers fight it out that year – it has always had an air of romance. Winter can linger on in northern France, and the départ from the ‘City of Lights’, which always falls on the first Sunday in March, often takes place under grim grey skies or cold wind and rain.

The race then processes towards the south, winding through the bare vineyards of Burgundy, flirting with the foothills of the Alps and diving deep into the Provençal countryside. Somewhere along the way, the sun begins to shine, and, by the time it reaches the Côte d’Azur, the peloton has emerged from the long shadow of winter into the Mediterranean spring. Paris–Nice promises better days to come for all of us, and that long warm summer rides will return – that perhaps they’re not even very far away.

We also love Paris–Nice because it loves our home roads. For many years the finale took the form of a time trial stage up Col d’Èze, which starts metres from our HQ and is our go-to lunch ride.

These days, however, a traditional road stage closes proceedings, riding the rollercoaster of hills closest to the Mediterranean before plunging into town and skirting around the port en route to a finish on the Promenade des Anglais. Customers spectating on the TV screens in our café often run outside at the last minute to watch the peloton thundering past!

Paris–Nice is also a connoisseur of the arrière pays Niçois, the backcountry behind the beaches, and before its date on the Promenade it usually fits in at least one proper mountain stage.

In previous years it has tackled favourite climbs like the Col de Vence, and summit finishes on the Col de la Couillole and 1,607-metre-tall Col de Turini.

This year it will head over Col St Martin/La Colmiane (1,500m), before finishing with a 7.2km climb to the ski resort of Auron.

The current champion, Tadej Pogačar, will not be coming this year to defend his title, but the action will be no less intense because of it; all eyes will be on his compatriot and long-time adversary, Primož Roglič. Paris–Nice has also seen some stars be born, including, not so long ago, a young Peter Sagan, whose Paris–Nice stage win at the age of 19 was only the start of his impact on cycling.

Which future star will make their début at Paris–Nice this year? Over eight days and 1,220 kilometres, we’ll very soon find out.

If you’re planning to be in town, come to the café for good coffee and big screens showing the action on race days. Hire a bike and explore the roads ridden by the pros – just ask our staff for recommendations on where to go.

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