Mercan'Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes 2026 preview, profiles, favourites & predictions - First Tour de France-prep race in the Alps

On the 3rtd of June 2026 the peloton takes on the Mercan'Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes; taking place in the southeast of France, as one of the few European one-day races that are specifically aimed for the climbers; some of them preparing for the upcoming Tour de France. We preview the race and take a look at its favourites and profile.

The race is 152.5 kilometers in distance, beginning in Puiget-Théniers and having the first 30 kilometers be on a slight downhill. From 150 meters of altitude, the peloton then begins to gradually go up a valley road into the Col de la Colmiane.

This climmb is, officially, only 7.5 kilometers long at 7%, however there is more altitude gain in the run-up to that phase of the climb itself, meaning it will be a very long effort up into the mountains. That climb ends with 78 kilometers to go.

After the descent, the riders go up again, this time into the Col de la Couillole, the hardest ascent of the day with 15.8 kilometers in distance and an average gradient of 7.3%. It ends with 41 kilometers to go, followed by a hilly plateau section where there can be some tactical moves.

The riders descend directly into the base of the climb to Valberg then, with the final climb averaging 6.2% over 14 kilometers in distance. This climb coincides with the finish line and is where the main attacks are expected to happen; however the climb to Couillole can't be underestimated as the differences made there can last all the way to the finish line.

*** Iván Sosa, Jordan Jegat

** Guillaume Martin, Domenico Pozzovivo, Léo Bisiaux

* Clément Berthet, Nicolas Breuilliard, Sergio Chumil, José Manuel Díaz, Jannis Peter, Alessandro Verre, Alessandro Fancellu

Pick: Jordan Jegat

How: Solo win.