'Race to the Sun': All you need to know about the Paris-Nice cycling stage race

Svend Bertil Frandsen

Jonas Vingegaard is among the favorites to win the raceCredit: Belga / Sipa USA / Profimedia

Paris-Nice, nicknamed the ‘Race to the Sun’, has in its 84th edition become a cornerstone race in many riders' calendars outside of the three Grand Tours. Flashcore gives you the complete guide to the season-opening race for many cyclists.

Date: Sunday, March 8th 2026 - Sunday, March 15th 2026

Edition: 84th

Starting point: Acheres

Finish: Nice

Total distance: 1,245km

Total climbing/elevation gain: 16,000m

Leader's jersey colour: Yellow

Most wins: Sean Kelly (eight)

Defending champion: Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike)

Trivia:

The youngest winner of Paris–Nice was Rene Vietto in 1935, at the age of 21

The oldest winner was Raymond Poulidor in 1973, at the age of 37.

France holds the record for most wins by a nation, but no Frenchman has won since Laurent Jalabert in 1997.

12 winners on the roll of honour have also won the Tour de France in their careers: Louison Bobet, Jacques Anquetil, Jan Janssen, Eddy Merckx, Joop Zoetemelk, Stephen Roche, Miguel Indurain, Alberto Contador, Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas, Egan Bernal, and Tadej Pogacar.

All bar Pogacar won their first or only Paris–Nice before they had won the Tour de France.

Recent winners:

2025: Matteo Jorgenson (USA)

2024: Matteo Jorgenson (USA)

2023: Tadej Pogačar (SLO)

2022: Primož Roglič (SLO)

2021: Max Schachmann (DE)

2020: Max Schachmann (DE)

2019: Egan Bernal (COL)

2018: Marc Soler (ESP)

2017: Sergio Henao (COL)

2016: Geraint Thomas (GBR)