ANALYSIS | Paris-Nice vs Tirreno-Adriatico: Which stage race is more important for the season ahead?

This week is an important one, as it sees two of the most important stage races before the grand tour season: Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. These races stand as two of the most significant early-season stage races, offering riders and teams crucial opportunities to test their form and set the tone for the months ahead.

Taking place simultaneously in early March, these races serve different purposes within the cycling calendar, with each providing distinct challenges and strategic importance. While Paris-Nice is often seen as the first real general classification test for Grand Tour hopefuls, Tirreno-Adriatico is regarded as a vital preparation race for both the Giro d’Italia and the spring classics.

But which race is more important? And does it ultimately depend on the rider?

The debate over which race holds greater importance remains ongoing, with historical prestige, parcours characteristics, and rider participation all playing a role in their significance. So let’s take a closer look at both Paris-Nice, and Tirreno-Adriatico.

Paris-Nice, commonly referred to as the "Race to the Sun," has been a fixture in professional cycling since 1933.

Created by Parisian newspaper magnate Albert Lejeune, it was initially designed to promote his publications but quickly established itself as a major event. The race traditionally starts in the cold and often windy northern regions of France before heading south towards the Mediterranean, with riders facing a mix of flat, hilly, and mountainous terrain.

Over the years, it has been won by some of the sport’s greatest names, including Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, and Sean Kelly, who remains the record-holder with seven consecutive victories from 1982 to 1988.

Tirreno-Adriatico, known as the "Race of the Two Seas," is a relatively younger event, having been first held in 1966. The race stretches from Italy’s Tyrrhenian coast to the Adriatic Sea, taking in a diverse mix of terrain that includes rolling hills, punchy climbs, and time trials.

While it may not have the same long-standing prestige as Paris-Nice, its importance has grown significantly in the last two decades, attracting many of the world's top riders. Historically, Tirreno-Adriatico has served as the primary preparation race for Milano-Sanremo, but it has also become a proving ground for general classification contenders and Grand Tour specialists.

21st century winners of Tirreno-Adriatico include Vincenzo Nibali, Tadej Pogacae, and Primoz Roglic, and last year Jonas Vingeaard, underlining its status as a high-quality early-season test.

The parcours of both races differ considerably, influencing the type of riders they attract. Paris-Nice is known for its unpredictable weather conditions, with crosswinds and rain often shaping the early stages before the mountains come into play in the latter half of the race.

While some editions have included individual time trials, the race generally features a balanced mix of opportunities for sprinters, puncheurs, and climbers. The final weekend is typically decisive, with the mountainous terrain around Nice providing a stern test for general classification hopefuls.

The iconic Col d’Èze has played a crucial role in shaping past editions, though more recent routes have introduced alternative climbs that ensure an exciting finale.

Tirreno-Adriatico, by contrast, places greater emphasis on time trials and medium-mountain stages. The race frequently begins with a team time trial or individual time trial, giving general classification contenders an early opportunity to gain time on their rivals.

The inclusion of steep, punchy climbs, such as Monte Terminillo, makes it a valuable test for climbers, while the final stage is traditionally a flat stage along the Adriatic coast. This structure makes Tirreno-Adriatico particularly appealing to Grand Tour riders, as it allows them to gauge their climbing and time-trialling abilities in a competitive setting, and also to sprinters as well.

Clearly, both are perfect grand tour preparation races.

The scheduling of Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico in the same week often forces teams to make important decisions about where to send their strongest riders.

Paris-Nice typically attracts general classification riders with ambitions for the Tour de France, as well as some sprinters looking to test their legs ahead of Milano-Sanremo in a more unique way than just heading for Tirreno-Adriatico.

Meanwhile, Tirreno-Adriatico draws a broader mix of specialists, including those targeting the Giro d'Italia, classics contenders looking to fine tune their form, and climbers seeking an early-season challenge. The dual scheduling of these races means that top-tier riders are split across both events, preventing direct head-to-head battles between all of the sport’s biggest names.

Instead, we’ll need a bit more patience before we see some of the best face off.

Despite this division, both races maintain their importance within the cycling calendar. Paris-Nice is often seen as the first real indicator of how Tour de France contenders are shaping up, while Tirreno-Adriatico provides critical feedback for those preparing for the Giro d'Italia or targeting the classics.

The race schedules allow teams to split their resources effectively, with some prioritising Paris-Nice for its high-profile exposure and history, while others opt for Tirreno-Adriatico's more varied parcours as a means of fine tuning their season’s ambitions.

In recent years, both races have produced some epic battles. The 2023 edition of Paris-Nice saw a highly anticipated clash between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, with Pogacar ultimately emerging victorious whilst David Gaudu actually managed to squeeze into second ahead of the Dane.

Meanwhile, Tirreno-Adriatico has consistently provided a platform for riders like Primoz Roglic to understand their form, with Vingegaard also having come out on top over Ayuso and Hindley 12 months ago.

So, which race is more important?

The debate over which race is more important is complex, as it depends on the perspective taken. From a historical standpoint, Paris-Nice holds greater prestige due to its long-standing status as one of the most iconic week-long stage races. Its position as the first major European stage race of the year and its history of producing legendary winners cement its reputation.

However, from a practical perspective, Tirreno-Adriatico offers a more balanced preparation for the Grand Tours and spring classics, as it combines time trials, huge climbing efforts, and rolling terrain.

Another factor influencing the importance of these races is media coverage and the fans. Because both events run simultaneously, broadcasters and fans must divide their attention, sometimes resulting in one race overshadowing the other.

While Paris-Nice enjoys strong coverage in France and is closely followed by those anticipating the Tour de France, Tirreno-Adriatico benefits from Italy’s passionate cycling fanbase and its association with the Giro d’Italia. The Italian race’s placement as a lead-in to Milano-Sanremo also ensures that it holds significant relevance in the build-up to the first Monument of the season.

And, whilst Paris-Nice is a trailer for the Tour de France, July is still 4 months away. With that in mind, Tirreno-Adriatico is actually a preview for more immediate races, with the classics right around the corner.

Beyond the sporting significance, both races contribute economically and culturally to their respective regions. Paris-Nice brings valuable tourism and media attention to towns across France, culminating in a grand finale in Nice that boosts the local economy.

Tirreno-Adriatico, with its scenic routes traversing both coastal and inland regions of Italy, similarly promotes tourism and local investment. These factors further solidify their importance, not just within cycling but also within the broader sporting and economic landscape.

Ultimately, the significance of Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico depends on the individual goals of teams and riders. While Paris-Nice remains a prestigious milestone for Tour de France contenders and a valuable race for early-season form-building, Tirreno-Adriatico offers a more rounded test, particularly for those with broader ambitions across the classics and Grand Tours.

Each race plays a vital role in shaping the narrative of the cycling season, and their continued coexistence ensures that early March remains one of the most exciting periods in the sport.

Luckily, as fans, we get to enjoy both!