Stage-Preview: Paris-Nice 2025

The 83rd edition of Paris–Nice will be held from 9 to 16 March 2025. Known as one of the most historic stage races in cycling, this WorldTour event, often referred to as “The Race to the Sun,” marks one of the first significant challenges of the 2025 season. It offers an early opportunity for both classic specialists and general classification contenders to demonstrate their form.

Paris-Nice: a challenging route featuring two summit finishes

Spanning eight stages and covering a total distance of 1,206 kilometres, the race starts in Le Perray-en-Yvelines in the Île-de-France region and finishes on the Côte d’Azur in Nice. Key highlights of this first WorldTour stage race on European soil for the new season include a team time trial in Nevers, two summit finishes at La Loge des Gardes and the Auron ski resort, and a demanding final stage around Nice featuring three first-category climbs.

Stage 1 | 9 March | Le Perray-en-Yvelines Circuit | 156.5 km

The circuit race around Le Perray-en-Yvelines on the opening day might favour the sprinters, provided they and their teams can handle a few short but steep climbs in the final 20 kilometres without incident.

Stage 2 | 10 March | Montesson – Bellegarde | 183.9 km

The second stage appears less challenging, potentially offering a prime chance for the top sprinters. However, the wind could cause hazardous echelon situations, reminiscent of 2019 when the stage also concluded in Bellegarde, and the race was effectively shaped on the Beauce plains.

Stage 3 | 11 March | Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours – Nevers | Team Time Trial | 28.4 km

One of the rare team time trials of the 2025 season occurs on day three of Paris-Nice. The route spans a challenging 28.4 kilometres of undulating terrain, starting from the Magny-Cours racetrack and finishing in the city centre of Nevers. Unlike traditional formats, the time isn’t taken from the fifth rider; instead, each rider is timed individually. This can result in intriguing tactical scenarios.

Stage 4 | 12 March | Vichy – La Loge des Gardes | 163.4 km

The first summit finish of the race concludes after 163.4 kilometres and a total ascent of 3,100 metres at La Loge des Gardes, which stands at 1,077 metres. The final ascent is a first-category climb, stretching 6.7 kilometres with an average gradient of 7.1 percent. Prior to this challenging finale, riders must tackle five additional categorised climbs.

Summit finish of Stage 4 of Paris-Nice

Stage 5 | 13 March | Saint-Just-en-Chevalet – La Côte-Saint-André | 196.5 km

The fifth stage is a real haven for puncheurs. They can ignite fireworks in the last 50 kilometres and battle for victory on the final 1.7-kilometre climb of Cote de Notre-Dame-de-Sciez, which features gradients as steep as 18 percent.

Stage 6 | 14 March | Saint-Julien-En-Saint-Alban – Berre l’Étang | 209.8 km

The longest stage of Paris-Nice stretches over 209.8 kilometres from Saint-Julien-En-Saint-Alban to Berre l’Étang. While it seems suited for the sprinters, the natural elements in the Rhône Valley and potential tactical moves could thwart their plans. There’s a good chance that a breakaway group might seize the victory.

Stage 7 | 15 March | Nice – Auron | 147.8 km

On the penultimate day of the race, the peloton arrives in Nice. From this coastal town, the route takes a mountainous path over the first-category Col de la Colmiane to a summit finish at the Auron ski resort, standing at 1,614 metres. This ascent stretches just over seven kilometres with an average gradient exceeding seven percent. The steep final kilometres could prove pivotal in determining the overall winner.

Stage 8 | 16 March | Nice – Nice | 119.9 km

The 119.9 km circuit around Nice features the Col de la Porte for the first time since 2010. It kicks off a series of three first-category climbs, including the Côte de Peille and the Col des Quatre Chemins. This creates an ideal backdrop for a thrilling elimination race, making the final day of Paris-Nice exceptionally captivating.