Heavy snow forces Paris-Nice to cut final climb of queen stage... And replace it with a harder one

Over the past few days, low temperatures and heavy snow at Auron threatened to cut or cancel Paris-Nice's queen stage on Saturday. This has now been confirmed, but race organizers have found an alternative that should be harder and more decisive at Madone d'Utelle

"Due to the unfavorable climatic conditions experienced by the Alpes-Maritimes department and depending on the weather forecasts for the weekend and in order to ensure the safety of the riders, the Paris- Nice organizing teams, in agreement with the city of Nice , the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis, the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture and in consultation with the college of commissioners of the International Cyclist Union (UCI), the representatives of the teams and riders (A.I.G.C.P, C.P.A) have taken the decision to modify the route of stage 7," was the announcement.

This does not come as a surprise, as only days ago heavy snow fell in the area, the Alpes Maritimes region currently undergoes very cold conditions. They will race the same first 89 kilometers of the stage but skip the finale at the Col de la Colmiane and Auron. Instead, they will do a detour into Madone d'Utelle where the weather is currently more stable. The stage will be 104 kilometers long and summit atop the 15.3-kilometer ascent that averages 5.7%. This could prove to be a very important climb for the race's outcome, and is it's toughest summit finish.

"The finish will be judged at the summit of the Madone d'Utelle, which offers 15.3 km of ascent at an average slope of 5.7%, and passages at 8%. The Madone d'Utelle has already hosted Paris-Nice in 2016. Ilnur Zakarin raised his arms in front of Geraint Thomas and Alberto Contador. Departing from Nice, the riders will have a lot to do with a program of 104 km and 2,000 meters of elevation gain. The first 89 kilometers of the initial stage are retained. In Saint-Jean La Rivière, the riders will be at the foot of the final climb which promises a spectacular final battle between the favorites in the general classification," the organizers concluded.