A new year of cycling is upon us. After the impressive win of Stuyven at the Omloop, it seems like we will be having a break from the spring classics for now with Strade Bianche and Milan Sanremo being cancelled due to the Corona outbreak. Luckily we have Paris-Nice, which is bound to cause some spectacular scenes early in the cycling-year!
With INEOS not participating, Bernal will not be there to defend last years title, but there is quite a strong line-up of GC riders and sprinters to contest for the different kinds of stages that are features in this years Paris Nice!
Let’s take a look at the roadbook.
This years Paris-Nice consists of 2 pan-flat stages, 3 flat/hilly stages, an ITT and 2 serious mountain stages!
Stage 1: Flat stage with a tricky finale (1,4km @ 7.8%). Everything is possible in this stage’s hunt for the first leader jersey!
Stage 2: Sprint
Stage 3: Sprint
Stage 4: The ITT where riders will try to put time into Quintana
Stage 5: Interesting hilly stage with several potential outcomes. Should be a sprint
Stage 6: Some tough climbs, but not too tough to put significant time into other GC riders. Expect a breakaway rider or a punchy rider to win here.
Stage 7: Mountain finish! 16,3 km at 6.3%. This is the GC stage.
Stage 8: Some tough consecutive climbs. If the GC isn’t decided by now expect a nervous day in the saddle!
This year’s Paris-Nice features a combination of established GC-riders, riders who have been doing well so far this year, and several newcomers that could suprise!
This leads us to our favorites: who will be contending for the overall victory?
Nairo Quintana
Seemed to look back at his very best at the Tour de la Provence and the Tour des Alpes! Arkea Samsic is supporting him with some of their best climbers: Barguil and Anacona should last deep into the mountain stages. He knows that he will lose some time in the ITT, but if he climbs like in the Provence, the mountain stages provide plenty of opportunity to make up for this.
Dylan Teuns
Strong start this year! Impressive ITT in Andalucia and a strong showing at de Omloop. Route suits his characteristics. Has two strong teammates in Bilbao and Caruso, but it’s not sure if he or Bilbao will be designated as the team’s leader. If it’s Teuns he should be able to make life very difficult for Quintana.
Thibaut Pinot
Question marks regarding his form, but a strong Thibaut Pinot should always be taken into account, especially when we’re racing on French soil.
Maximilian Schachmann
One of our favorite riders with an impressive punch! Showed great progression last season and will be looking to take a land-mark victory. Should be able to win a stage and/or finish at the podium. His limited climbing abilities might make it hard for him to fight for the overall.
Sergio Higuita
With EF-riders flying, Higuita should make a strong showing here! Won the Tour of Colombia and will be looking to add more wins to his impressive track-record!
Richie Porte
Always in form at this time of the year. Will ride an impressive ITT, but we do not know if he is strong enough to keep up with riders like Quintana during the mountainous stages. Nibali will be a wild-card given his calendar changes, could go any way!
Outsiders: Nibali, Jungels, Bardet, Latour, Alaphilippe
He is riding some damn impressive watts/kg. We can’t see anyone following his attacks in the mountains. Nairo Quintana to win this years Paris Nice!
Back in the bunch we will see Teuns & Higuita battle it out for 2 & 3.
