Paris-Nice Stage 7 Shortened Due to Severe Weather & Snowfall
The queen stage of Paris-Nice, originally slated to culminate in a challenging mountaintop finish at Auron, has been significantly altered due to increasingly severe weather conditions. Organizers announced on Friday evening that the seventh stage, scheduled for Saturday, , will be shortened by 18 kilometers, finishing instead in Isola.
The decision comes as heavy snowfall and a rapidly dropping rain-snow line – estimated to be around 1,100 meters – threaten rider safety. “The organisers of Paris-Nice have been closely monitoring the weather conditions in the Alpes-Maritimes department throughout the week,” a statement from race officials confirmed. “The latest forecasts make an arrival in the Auron resort inconceivable.”
The revised stage will now cover 120.4 kilometers, beginning in Nice. While still presenting a challenging course, the removal of the ascent to Auron fundamentally changes the character of the stage. The original route featured a grueling climb of 7.3 kilometers with an average gradient of 7.2%, designed to be a decisive moment in the general classification battle. The new finish in Isola, previously designated as an intermediate sprint point, eliminates that key test of climbing prowess.
The alteration was made in close consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including the city of Nice, the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture, the municipalities of Auron and Isola, and representatives from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), teams (A.I.G.C.P), and riders (C.P.A). This collaborative approach underscores the paramount importance placed on rider well-being in the face of hazardous conditions.
The shortened stage will still include two categorized climbs: the Côte de Carros at the 14.8km mark and the Côte de Bouyon at the 24km mark. These ascents will likely contribute to the day’s racing dynamic, but will not possess the same race-defining potential as the now-removed climb to Auron.
The change in route arrives after stage 6 saw Jonas Vingegaard maintain his overall lead. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider navigated a difficult stage on without incident, extending his advantage in the general classification. He currently leads by 3 minutes and 22 seconds over Daniel Felipe Martínez of Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, and by 5 minutes and 50 seconds over Georg Steinhauser of EF Education-EasyPost.
Vingegaard acknowledged the potential for inclement weather impacting the race’s closing weekend earlier in the week, emphasizing that rider safety must be the top priority. “I also have to trust ASO have safety of the riders in mind,” he stated. “I believe they have a plan B or something that they will do instead.”
This isn’t the first time weather has threatened the decisive stages of Paris-Nice. Organizers were forced to consider contingency plans due to snow forecasts, recalling similar disruptions in previous editions. The decision to shorten the stage and alter the finish reflects a proactive approach to mitigating risk and ensuring the safety of the peloton.
Vingegaard initially seized the race lead after a commanding performance on stage 4 in Uchon, a stage also contested under challenging, rainy conditions. His ability to perform in adverse weather has been a hallmark of his early season form, but even for a rider of his caliber, the conditions anticipated for Saturday’s stage presented unacceptable risks.
The altered stage 7 will undoubtedly impact the overall race dynamic. While the elimination of the Auron climb removes a significant opportunity for time gains, it also levels the playing field to some extent. The race for the overall victory will likely remain tight, with the final time trial and remaining stages holding the key to determining the ultimate champion.