There is no doubt about it, the 68th edition of Paris-Nice is set to be a race of innovation.
Right from the Grand Start of the event, which will mark the beginning of a four year long partnership with the Yvelines General Council.
A time-trial prologue will get the party started in Montfort-l’Amaury before Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines takes over for the start of the first stage.
Afterwards, originality will still be the watchword all along the route leading us to the French Riviera, with no less than six other new stage towns: Contres, Saint-Junien, Aurillac, Pernes-les-Fontaines, Peynier and Tourrettes-sur-Loup, where the final stretch will be preceded by the tough climb up the slopes of the Col de Vence.
During the middle of the race, the route will pass the Massif Central by the west – like in 2007 - and visit Limoges and Maurs also. Afterwards, it will head south east to Mende, with a little nod to “Jaja” on the way, with the finish at the summit of La Croix-Neuve/Montée Laurent Jalabert, where Alberto Contador won three years ago, before heading to Aix-en-Provence which has not welcomed a finish since 1964.
All that remains thereafter will be the last efforts in the backcountry around Nice, before we discover the name of the winner of the 68th Paris-Nice on the Promenade des Anglais.
Christian PRUDHOMME
Director of the Tour de France