CyclingQuotes.com uses cookies for statistics and targeting ads. This information is shared with third parties.
ACCEPT COOKIES » MORE INFO »

Every day we bring you more pro-cycling news

"Paris-Nice is a special race where I have always performed well. In addition, it is a very important one in terms of preparation because it gives you pace and provides a good base for the rest of the year."

Photo: Tim De Waele

ALBERTO CONTADOR

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

MATTEO TOSATTO

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

MICHAEL VALGREN

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

PARIS - NICE

RACE PROFILE
|
NEWS

PAWEL POLJANSKI

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

RAFAL MAJKA

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

ROBERT KISERLOVSKI

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

SERGIO PAULINHO

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

YURY TROFIMOV

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS
03.03.2016 @ 13:38 Posted by Emil Axelgaard

The WorldTour calendar gets back into action this weekend with its first European outing of the season, the historic French race, Paris-Nice. Alberto Contador, already a two-time winner of The Race to the Sun, returns to the race after a five year hiatus to lead Tinkoff’s assault over the eight-days that present the first real GC test of the season.

Commenting ahead of the race, Contador said: "Paris-Nice is a special race where I have always performed well. In addition, it is a very important one in terms of preparation because it gives you pace and provides a good base for the rest of the year. On the other hand, it's also a complicated race, because of the big number of rivals, its parcours and the weather conditions."

Lining up for Tinkoff from 6-13 March are Robert Kiserlovski and Sergio Paulinho, both of who started their seasons alongside Alberto in Portugal, as well as Polish duo Rafal Majka and Pawel Poljanski. The experienced Matteo Tosatto, as well as Russian road race champion, Yuri Trofimov, and young Danish talent Michael Valgren complete the team in France.

Looking at the challenges that present themselves at the race, Sport Director Steven De Jongh comments: “It’s going to be a hard race, starting with a fast prologue before the flat stages in which positioning will be key. Stage 1 features a section of gravel road and in these exposed stages there’s always the chance of crosswinds.”


Following the early sprint stages the attention turns to the climbers in the second half of the week. De Jongh continues: “The first goal is to not lose any silly time on the early stages, and to minimalise the risk of getting caught out before stage 3’s uphill finish where we will see who’s there for GC.”

This third road stage presents the first climbing test, covering six categorised climbs over the 165.5km parcours. The yellow jersey will likely be wrestled off the shoulders of one of the flat specialists on this day on the 3km ascent to the finish.

Particular focus can be paid to stage 6, the queen stage, which features the only mountain-top finish of the race, as well as the final day with a late ascent of the Col d’Eze after which it’s all downhill to the finish in Nice.

“The early stages could shape the race but the overall should be decided on the final weekend,” De Jongh added. “We have a strong team here with a mix of climbers, experienced riders and some younger guys too, and everyone is in good shape to support Alberto. We are ready to get the job done.”

Looking at this year's course, Contador highlights: "It is one of the toughest that I can recall, very hilly, but on the other hand it kicks off with a flat prologue that isn't technical at all, very well suited to specialists. I miss the time-trial on Col d'Eze which I have never been able to race, but instead it has two summit finishes, one for heavier riders and another for climbers."

MORE NEWS:

VIEW SELECTED

Bycykling 101: Navigering i byens gader og cykelvenlige... 27.11.2023 @ 12:11The Best Danish Cyclist To Bet On At 2022 Tour De France 13.01.2022 @ 15:262022 Upcoming Tournament Overview 03.01.2022 @ 09:45Best Place to Find Stand-Up Paddleboards 16.06.2021 @ 08:16What are Primoz Roglic’s Chances to Win 2021 Tour de Fr... 17.03.2021 @ 08:37Amazing victory by young champion Sarah Gigante 04.02.2021 @ 14:21Three reasons why cycling is one of the best ways to ex... 28.09.2020 @ 12:03Why do businesses use meeting room managers? 14.09.2020 @ 13:42Five things that you can do, if you want to gain more f... 20.08.2020 @ 15:38One for the road 09.06.2020 @ 15:25List of CyclingQuotes previews 07.05.2020 @ 13:20Blue Energy: room for all interests 26.08.2019 @ 12:56Get your daily dose of exercise at home 08.07.2019 @ 10:443 good advice to be able to afford your favorite bike 25.02.2019 @ 12:32Cycle through gorgeous landscapes 22.10.2018 @ 21:41Balance Your Economy and Diet and Start Saving Money 08.10.2018 @ 11:18Stay Safe: 3 Helmets That Can Keep Your Head Protected... 20.07.2018 @ 07:59Planning to bet on Tour De France - Bet types and strat... 24.05.2018 @ 14:18Basics of cycling betting 25.10.2017 @ 13:10Bauer moves to ORICA-SCOTT 28.08.2017 @ 10:45End of the road for CyclingQuotes 08.01.2017 @ 16:00Rui Costa confirms Giro participation 07.01.2017 @ 12:55Van Avermaet: I am not afraid of Sagan 07.01.2017 @ 09:45Unchanged course for E3 Harelbeke 07.01.2017 @ 09:32Jenner takes surprise win at Australian U23 Championships 07.01.2017 @ 08:53No replacement for Meersman at Fortuneo-Vital Concept 06.01.2017 @ 19:14Barguil with two goals in 2017 06.01.2017 @ 19:06More details about French Vuelta start emerges 06.01.2017 @ 14:16Kristoff to start season at Etoile de Besseges 06.01.2017 @ 14:10Ion Izagirre announces schedule for first year at Bahrain 06.01.2017 @ 12:40JLT Condor optimistic for Herald Sun Tour 06.01.2017 @ 09:19Haas leads Dimension Data trio in fight for Australian... 06.01.2017 @ 09:15Sagan spearheads Bora-hansgrohe at Tour Down Under 06.01.2017 @ 09:12Henao and Thomas lead Sky Down Under 06.01.2017 @ 09:09Bauer crowned New Zealand TT champion 06.01.2017 @ 08:33Van der Poel ready to defend Dutch title 05.01.2017 @ 21:00Pantano ambitious for first Tour with Trek 05.01.2017 @ 20:41Landa with new approach to the Giro 05.01.2017 @ 20:36Sunweb Development Team sign Goos and Zepuntke 05.01.2017 @ 20:27Dumoulin confirms Giro participation 05.01.2017 @ 20:19Bauer targets victories in Quick-Step debut 05.01.2017 @ 20:16Gaviria and Boonen lead Quick-Step in San Juan 05.01.2017 @ 20:13Team Sunweb presented in Germany 05.01.2017 @ 20:09ASO take over major German WorldTour race 05.01.2017 @ 11:01Team Sunweb unveil new jersey 05.01.2017 @ 10:54Reactions from the Australian TT Championships 05.01.2017 @ 08:27Dennis defends Australian TT title 05.01.2017 @ 08:21Scotson takes back to back U23 TT titles in Australia 05.01.2017 @ 08:15Utrecht on track to host 2020 Vuelta 04.01.2017 @ 18:28Pre-season setback for Talansky 04.01.2017 @ 17:56Kristoff: It's not impossible for me to win in Rou... 04.01.2017 @ 17:49Boom close to first cyclo-cross win in LottoNL debut 04.01.2017 @ 17:40UAE Abu Dhabi make late signing of Arab rider 04.01.2017 @ 17:36UAE Abu Dhabi unveil new jersey 04.01.2017 @ 17:30BMC unveil race schedule 04.01.2017 @ 17:21

Currently no news in this list

Eduardo VILA CASTRO
27 years | today
Eliodis GRIÑAN
42 years | today
Joe EVANS
28 years | today
Luis Miguel LEMA
39 years | today
Vladimir EFIMKIN
43 years | today

© CyclingQuotes.com