2017 Paris-Nice Route Revealed
Route to hit new heights, at 1,678 m, the Col de la Couillole will take the peloton higher than any other climb in the history of the race
Amatuer riders can experience the final stage in the Paris Nice Challenge Ride on March 11th
The 2017 edition of French WorldTour race Paris-Nice offers a climbing time trial and a new record height, and contains an adjusted final as result of last year's terrorist attack.
The race departs from Bois-d'Arcy near Paris on March 5th and includes a climbing time trial and a mountain finish on what will be the highest ever point in Paris-Nice.
The first big changes to the general classification should be expected on day 4 of the eight-day race as the riders face a 14km time trial up the Mont Brouilly.
Stage 6 will then offer several climbs including three of the first category. Although the finish will be uphill, the final climb is short and may allow for some explosive attacks.
But the absolute cracker in this year's race will likely be stage 7, from Nice to the Col de la Coullole. At no less than 1678 meters, this climb will be the race's new record height. As the ascent follows three other climbs including two of the first category, this stage will be the main target for those focusing on the overall classification.
On the final day, the peloton faces another tough stage with three second-category climbs followed by two of the first category before finally finishing in Nice. This is the route that amateur riders will be able to tackle on Saturday March 11th, a day ahead of the Pro's.
The finale had been adjusted and now avoids the Promenade des Anglais, the race's traditional end point, as result of the terrorist attack on the nation's national holiday in 2016.
2017 Paris Nice Stages
1 Sunday, March 5th - Bois-d'Arcy / Bois-d'Arcy - 148.5 km
2 Monday, March 6th - Rochefort-en-Yvelines / Amilly - 192.5 km
3 Tuesday, March 7th - Chablis / Chalon-sur-Saône - 190 km
4 Wednesday, March 8th - Beaujeu / Mont Brouilly - 14.5 km
5 Thursday, March 9th - Quincié-en-Beaujolais / Bourg-de-Péage - 199.5 km
6 Friday, March 10th - Aubagne / Fayence - 192 km
7 Saturday, March 11th - Nice / Col de la Couillole - 177 km
8 Sunday, March 12th - Nice / Nice - 115.5 km
VIDEO: 2017 Paris Nice Route Revealed
Ride the Paris-Nice Challenge
The Paris-Nice Challenge offers amateur cyclists the chance to get as near as possible to a legendary professional race.
After welcoming more than 850 cyclists for its first edition in 2016, Paris-Nice Challenge will be back on Saturday 11 March 2017 on the eve of the arrival of the professional race. The day before the final stage, amateur cyclists are invited to take part in the second edition of this cyclosportive event, along the same roads of the Nice hinterland that the professionals will take the following day.
Participants can choose between two routes on roads that will be open to traffic but with maximum security measures in place: the entire professional route or a route accessible to everyone that takes riders through stunning countryside.
Find out more here: granfondoguide.com/Events/Index/6252/the-paris-nice-challenge