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Paris-Nice 2024, March 3-10

Page 5 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
A full preview of stage 1 at the Inner Ring blog at
https://inrng.com/2024/03/paris-nice-stage-1-preview-les-mureaux/#more-43941
The Finish: a fast downhill section leads to a sharp right turn and then a left with 5.5km go to. From here it’s one long straight road until 1.5km and almost flat, it’ll be fast and a big chainring helps. Once in Les Mureaux there’s a small climb up to the flamme rouge, then a dip down and a rise until 700m where there’s a tight ~120° bend. From here the it climbs at 6% here before easing to 2-3%. It flattens out and there’s a sweeping curve at 200m but it’s just that rather than sharp angle and by now the field should well-lined out.
So we're looking at an uphill sprint more then a chance for the GC guys. 6 second time bonus at the top of Mountainville not far from the finish might prove enticing for the GC guys
Weather is looking ok, so the big hope is no big crashes!
 
In the official preview sent out by the race the course director said “The bonus sprint has been placed at the top of a hill with sections with a 10 pc gradient and the 6 seconds awarded to the first at the top is not to be neglected. The Herbeville climb can also be used as a launch-pad. Those two hills are in the last 18 kms of the race, while the finish will take place on a road with a gradient of 4 or 5 pc, over almost 500 metres. If there is a sprint, it probably won't involve a huge group".

Here's an interactive profile of the finishing circuit:

 
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One thing Roglic is missing now is the super strong Visma team, Bora are good but not Visma level. Remember Laporte, Wout and Roglic riding away and doing a 1-2-3 that one stage. I just can't see a scenario where that could happen at Bora.
 
A March MTF in the snow? Someone summon Quintana!

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