The 83rd edition of Paris-Nice promises to be unmissable with a team time trial scheduled for next March, where Jonas Vingegaard will be particularly expected.
Presented Tuesday in Versailles, the 2025 route of the “Race to the Sun” (March 9-16) retains a classic structure: a start in the Yvelines, a long diagonal to the Côte d’Azur, and along the way, varied stages. There are opportunities for sprinters, a first mountain day ending at the Loge des Gardes, and two explosive final stages around Nice.
Among the highlights, a 28 km team time trial between the Magny-Cours circuit and Nevers is scheduled for Tuesday, marking the first major challenge for the contenders in the general classification.
After years of absence in this event, this collective format made its return thanks to ASO two years ago, with an innovative approach: the time is taken from the first rider crossing the line (instead of the fourth). This rule favors daring strategies, such as launching the leader alone in the last kilometers.
“I have always appreciated the team time trial for its physical, athletic and aesthetic aspect, even if it bothered me a little, because for me cycling remains an individual sport run in teams,” said Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France. “But with this new rule which takes the time of the first runner, everything changes.”
Paris-Nice is therefore integrating this format for the third year in a row, although it has not been seen on the Tour de France since 2019. An upcoming return to the Grande Boucle? “Who knows (qui sait) ?” suggested Christian Prudhomme.
The next day, the crossing of the reliefs of the Allier, followed by the arrival at altitude at the Loge des Gardes (6.7 km at 7.1%), could already redistribute the cards in the quest for the yellow jersey. This is also where Tadej Pogacar shone in 2023.
However, as is often the case, the final decision should be made during the weekend on the Côte d’Azur. On Saturday, the runners will face a spectacular sequence between the Col de la Colmiane and the climb to Auron, which was canceled last year due to snow. On Sunday, the route will include the Col de la Porte, the Côte de Peille and the Col des Quatre Chemins, before concluding on the Promenade des Anglais.
In terms of participation, Pogacar, winner in 2023, did not include Paris-Nice in his 2025 program, and Evenepoel, still recovering, could not be there.
“But we will have a high quality field,” assured Christian Prudhomme, who is delighted with the return of Jonas Vingegaard, never victorious in this race. The Dane will lead the Visma team, alongside the defending champion, the American Matteo Jorgenson, author of a surprise victory last March.
Other prestigious names are also announced: Alexandr Vlasov, Felix Gall, Ben O’Connor, Daniel Martinez, as well as the French Guillaume Martin, Aurélien Paret-Peintre and Lenny Martinez
THE ROUTE (1,206 km)
- 9 mars : 1st stage Le Perray-en-Yvelines – Le Perray-en-Yvelines, 156.5 km
- 10 mars : 2nd stage Montesson (Yvelines) – Bellegarde (Loiret), 183.9 km
- 11 mars : 3rd stage Circuit Nevers Magny-Court (Nièvre) – Nevers, team time trial of 28.4 km
- 12 mars : 4th stage Vichy (Allier) – La Loge des Gardes (Allier), 163.4 km
- 13 mars : 5th stage Saint-Just-en-Chevalet (Loire) – La Côte-Saint-André (Isère), 196.5 km
- 14 mars : 6th stage Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban (Ardèche) – Berre l’Etang (Bouches-du-Rhône), 209.8 km
- 15 mars : 7th stage Nice – Auron (Alpes-Maritimes), 147.8 km
- 16 mars : 8th stage Nice – Nice, 119.9 km
