Paris-Nice 2026: Route, Stages, Teams & Contenders Revealed
The 84th edition of Paris-Nice, the “Race to the Sun,” is set to begin on , and conclude on . This year’s race features a notable change to its traditional finish, with the winner to be crowned at the Riviera stadium in Nice, rather than the usual Promenade des Anglais, due to municipal elections.
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) enters the race as a strong favorite, currently holding a commanding lead in the general classification with a gap of 3’22” over Dani Martinez (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) after Stage 7. Vingegaard’s dominance positions him to potentially achieve a historically significant victory, with only eight previous winners having established a larger margin in the race’s 83 completed editions.
The route promises a diverse challenge for riders, encompassing sprints, potential echelons, a team time trial, and demanding climbs. The race begins in Achères, marking the 30th city in Yvelines to host a stage of the event, and will traverse varied terrain before culminating in Nice. The organizers have already modified the route for Stage 7, cancelling the planned ascent to Auron due to inclement weather, with rain and snow expected at altitudes as low as 1,100 meters. This decision prioritizes rider safety.
Harold Tejada (XDS Astana Team) secured a stage win on Stage 6, completing the 179.5km route from Barbentane to Apt in 3h 54′ 38”. The stage saw a daring late attack from Tejada, securing his first WorldTour victory. Dorian Godon (Ineos Grenadiers) and Lewis Askey (NSN) rounded out the podium.
Vingegaard continues to lead the general classification with a time of 21h 16′ 50”. He also currently holds the polka-dot jersey as best climber, with 26 points. Luke Lamperti (EF Education-EasyPost) leads the points classification with 45 points, wearing the green jersey. G. Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost) leads the young rider classification, sporting the white jersey, with a time of 21h 22′ 40”. Ineos Grenadiers currently leads the team classification with a total time of 64h 27′ 13”. Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) was awarded the combativity prize for Stage 6.
The race features a competitive field beyond Vingegaard, including riders like Simon Yates, João Almeida, Juan Ayuso, Cian Uijtdebroeks, and Mattias Skjelmose. French hopes rest on Kévin Vauquelin, Lenny Martinez, and David Gaudu. Sprinters Mads Pedersen, Olav Kooij, and Michael Matthews are also expected to contend for stage victories.
A total of 22 teams will participate in the 2026 Paris-Nice, comprising the 18 WorldTour teams, the top three ProTeams – Cofidis, Pinarello–Q36.5, and Tudor – and an invitation extended to TotalEnergies. The race will be broadcast live on RTVE.
The route includes a challenging team time trial between Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire and Pouilly-sur-Loire, designed to test teams ahead of the Tour de France’s Grand Départ in Barcelona. Stages in the Morvan region will feature a climb to Uchon, potentially proving decisive in the general classification. The final weekend will see riders return to Nice, with the decisive stage 7 altered due to weather conditions, and the final stage exploring novel climbs, including the Côte du Linguador.
The altered Stage 7 route reflects the organizers’ commitment to rider safety in the face of challenging weather conditions. The cancellation of the Auron ascent underscores the unpredictable nature of the race and the need for adaptability. The shift in the final stage’s location, from the Promenade des Anglais to the Riviera stadium, marks a departure from tradition but ensures a fitting conclusion to a week of intense competition.
Matteo Jorgenson, the defending champion, will be looking to repeat his success from 2025. However, with a strong field of contenders and a challenging route, the 2026 Paris-Nice promises a thrilling battle for the yellow jersey.
Stage Breakdown:
- Stage 1: – Achères to Carrières-sous-Poissy, 171.2 km
- Stage 2: – Épône to Montargis, 187 km
- Stage 3: – Cosne Cours sur Loire to Pouilly-sur-Loire, 23.5 km (Team Time Trial)
- Stage 4: – Bourges to Uchon, 195 km
- Stage 5: – Cormoranche sur Saône to Colombier-le-Vieux, 205.4 km
- Stage 6: – Barbentane to Apt, 179.3 km
- Stage 7: – Nice to [Modified Route], 138.7 km
- Stage 8: – Nice to Nice, 145 km