Teams Announced for the Paris-Nice Cycle Race

The race goes back to 1933 and is after the 'Grand Tours' (such as the Tour de France) one of the most important stage races on the cycling calendar.

Stage 5 will bring the riders in Provence and to the legendary Mont Ventoux, and finishing in salon de Provence. Stage 6 then features the most climbing kilometres from the city of Nice to the finish atop La Madone d’Utelle after a 15.3 kilometres toil at 5.7%. The closing stage takes the riders over Col d’Eze to finish on the historic Promenade des Anglais in Nice.

In accordance with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) rules, the following eighteen teams are automatically invited to this race: AG2R La Mondiale (Fra), Astana Pro Team (Kaz), BMC Racing Team (USA), Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA), Dimension Data (AfS), Etixx - Quick Step (Bel), FDJ (Fra), IAM Cycling (Sui), Lampre - Merida (Ita), Lotto Soudal (Bel), Movistar Team (Esp), Orica GreenEDGE (Aus), Team Giant - Alpecin (Ger), Team Katusha (Rus), Team Lotto NL - Jumbo (Ned), Team Sky (Gbr), Tinkoff (Rus) and Trek - Segafredo (USA).

In addition to these eighteen teams, the organisers have awarded the following four wildcard team entires: Cofidis Solutions Crédits (Fra), Delko Marseille Provence KTM (Fra), Direct Energie (Fra) and Fortuneo - Vital Concept (Fra).

While it’s not yet known whether defending champion Richie Porte will return with his new team BMC on March 6 to defend his title, we are sure to see some of the sports brightest stars battling it out.

The Cote d'Azur is a popular cycling area, especially during the mild winter months and there will be no finer place to see some of the biggest names in cycling than on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. If this inspires you to get your two wheels out of storage and blow away the cobwebs with a quick bike ride then make sure you check out our Cycling Routes Guide.