The Paris-Nice race has a rich history, dating back to 1933, and it attracts some of the best cyclists in the world. ‘The Race to the Sun’ is its nickname, taking place in the first half of March, it starts in chilly and wintry weather in the French capital, and concludes in the spring sunshine on the Côte d’Azur.
Cycling the 128km route of the last stage of the 2023 Paris-Nice was an unforgettable experience. The challenge ride took place the day before the professional riders took part. The stunning weather, the turquoise blue sea, views of Monaco, Provence countryside, Cap Ferrat, and Antibes all added to the beauty and excitement of the ride.
I had been looking forward to this experience for months, and the day finally arrived. I woke up early in the morning, had a hearty breakfast, and packed my cycling gear. I had spent weeks preparing for this ride, and I was confident that my Colnago C59 would perform beautifully on the demanding route.
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The last stage of the Paris-Nice road race is known for its challenging terrain, with numerous steep climbs and technical descents. The route begins and ends in Nice and finishes on the iconic Promenade des Anglais. The final stage is often decisive in determining the winner of the race, as it includes several categorised climbs and a fast and a technical descent into Nice.
As I set off, I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. The first few kilometers were relatively flat, and I took the opportunity to warm up and get into a rhythm. As I approached the first climb, the Côte de Levens (6.1km at 4.9%), I could feel my heart rate increase, and I shifted into a lower gear. The climb was steep and challenging, but the beautiful scenery and the knowledge that I was following in the footsteps of the professional riders kept me motivated.
The next few kilometers were a rollercoaster of climbs and descents: the Côte de Levens (6.1km at 4.9%), the Côte de Châteauneuf (5.4km at 4.6%) and Côte de Berre-les-Alpes (6.3km at 6%), all category 2 and category 1 Côte de Peille (6.6km at 6.9%). I was impressed by the sheer beauty of the surroundings, from the stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea to the quaint villages and towns dotted along the route.
As I approached the final climb up Col d’Èze (6km at 7.6%), I knew I was in for a challenge. As I reached the summit, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in my physical ability. The descent from Col d’Èze was equally exhilarating. The winding road allowed me to pick up speed and enjoy the rush of adrenaline as I descended towards the sea.
The final stretch towards the finish line was a blur of excitement and exhaustion. I crossed the finish line with a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that I had just completed one of the most challenging and beautiful rides of my life.
The next day I stood at the finish line and watched the amazing athlete Tajar Pogacar win, having completed the stage in under 4 hours. He won the stage and the race as well as being the best young rider and winning the sprinters green jersey.