The Stage - The Queen Stage of Paris-Nice and the only summit finish, so of huge importance even before tomorrow’sspectacular finale.
The Route - A coastal start and some flat roads to leave Nice, before the day’s first categorised climb – the Côte de Gattières, which is 4.5km at 4.8% and then a fascinatingly placed sprint at Le Broc. The race heads towards the Alps via the D1, finding their way past Conségudes, La Roque-En-Provence and Pierrefeu before we start climbing seriously for the first time today.
The Côte De La Sainte-Baume is more a test of length than it is gradient – it averages only 4% but it is 16.7 kilometres long. Afterwards there’s a drop into Le Penne, the day’s feeding zone and the pinch point between the Sainte-Baume and the Col de Saint-Raphaël, which is 5.8 kilometres long and averages 4.2%.
It’s then down the D6202 to the Côte Villars-sur-Var: 2.1 kilometres at 6.7%, an d trhe stage of the race towards the day’s big finish.
The Finish - An hour from Nice by road, the La Colmiane ski resort has many features, and the climb of Valdebore La Colmiane is being used for the first time as a summit finish. better known to locals as the Col de Saint Martin, this is not it’s debut in terms of Paris-Nice; It was taken just last year as a decent before the summit of the Col de la Couillole that Richie Porte took in style.
The climb opens up with two steep kilometres that are 8%, before the gradient eases down to 4% afterwards. The opening part of the climb is actually the hardest section; The next kilometre is then 7.5%, although that is the toughest gradient for 5 kilometres and the percentage per kilometre reads 5,6,6 and 3.5% before the 10th kilometre at La Roche.
12 kilometres into the climb, we reach Saint-Delmas, a sign we are headed towards the end, and the last three kilometres average 6.5%, 7%, and 6.2%.
The road is regular and well surfaced, and the gradients do not change suddenly, making this an ideal climb for teamwork and a steady effort, whilst perhaps playing against the pure climbers.
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The Weather - Rain all day and perhaps even snow at the top of the resort, a real challenge for some and a benefit for others.
The Winner - Two stages have gone to breakaways, although the peloton was always close behind and a lot of teams will have a big stake in getting their rider within the distance of time bonuses so the leaders might well fight it out.
The Favourites - The gradient of this climb is perfect for Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step) even if it’s length isn’t and the Frenchman has barely spent a day without making a move. Tomorrow’s 112km loop around Nice suits him more and he’ll be hoping to hang tough here and perhaps make a move if he feels strong.
Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) still has the yellow jersey and a gap of 22 seconds to defend over Alaphilippe; His gap has been built on fine tactical racing into Châtel-Guyon but only Wout Poels beat him on the ‘summit finish’ at the Ruta Del Sol and he hasn’t looked in too much trouble at any point since. A very strong Astana team, including Jakob Fulsgana and Omar Fraille, is a big help for his chances.
The Izaguirre brothers have been active all this week for Bahrain-Merida and Gorka might be disappointed that he didn’t get more from attacking plenty today. He’s 34 down on Sanchez with Ion 45 seconds behind the yellow jersey, and this climb suits them both. The best legs yesterday probably belonged to Mitchelton-Scott’s Simon Yates, whose multiple attacks were the most impressive of the leading contenders, and he makes for a powerful tactical double card with Esteban Chavez.
Sky will be devastated to have lost Wout Poels given his form but Sergio Henao has gone well this week and had shown up well in Colombia before then. The defending Champion needs a big show today if he’s to have a chance of retaining his title but this climb suits Sky well.
L’Avenir winner Marc Soler (Movistar) has looked even better here than he did in Andalucia and he’s a much better rider now than he was when finishing ninth last year. He’s managed be well hidden through the week but this terrain is a big chance for him to attack Sanchez although he was ninth on the closing stage last year and remains a big threat.
Tim Wellens has had a very good week and remains in fine form although this is a long climb for such a rider and he may be wanting to limit losses before tomorrow.
