Paris-Nice 2026 stage 2 preview, profiles, favourites & predictions - Biniam Girmay and Luke Lamperti the men to watch for second bunch sprint

The 2026 edition of Paris-Nice will be taking place from the 8th to the 15th of March and is, as every year, one of the key pro cycling events of the spring. It features opportunities for the climbers, sprinters and classics specialists alike. We preview stage 2, which is estimated to start and finish at 12:50 and 16:45CET.

The race was first held in 1933 and won by Belgian Alfons Schepers. Due to the race's nature, as the name says from Paris to Nice in the Mediterraneen sea; it is often called the 'Race to the Sun', and on the road that is quite literally often the case. It is an event, with 8 days in duration, that has crowned some of the sport's very best over the generations. Jacques Anquetil, Tom Simpson, Eddy Merckx, Raymond Poulidor, Joop Zoetemelk, Seak Kelly (the record holder, winning every single edition from 1982 to 1988), Miguel Indurain, Laurent Jalabert...

The list goes on and on, and in recent years the race hasn't lost any of its meaning. Modern legends such as Alberto Contador, Tony Martin, Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas, Primoz Roglic and Tadej Pogacar have all inserted their names onto the history books. In 2025, it was Matteo Jorgenson who took the overall win, defending it successfully with a performance that spanned great stages in all terrains.

The second day of racing is more suited to the sprinters in fact, a day where there are no real obstacles on the way of the riders. The riders begin on the outskirts of Paris and ride towards the southeast, the first big transition stage where the wind may cause some damage.

However if this is not the case, then there is nothing to prevent a bunch sprint from taking place in Montargis. The entrance into town is relatively technical so expect a lot of tension and early fight for positioning; a day which can at worst spell the end of the race for the riders if they do not tackle the finale safely.

The favourites continue to be the same, there weren't strong attacks in the peloton on the opening day of the race and so we had a regular bunch sprint; and on stage 2 the same will happen. There are not top sprinter names present in this race but it was rather apparent that Biniam Girmay looked the strongest this Sunday afternoon; and he will likely be the main favourite to win this flat stage. Milan Fretin of Cofidis was present, but perhaps now without the climbs he can be fresher and have a more regular finale where he can fight for the win - one which would be very important to the team.

The rest of the sprinters are virtually on equal foot, and with nothing to 'separate the waters'. It will all be about positioning and timing. Vito Braet, Orluis Aular, Jensen Plowright, Mike Teunissen, Cees Bol, Axel Zingle, Anthony Turgis, Matteo Trentin, Pascal Ackermann, Dorian Godon, Milan Menten, Bryan Coquard and Phil Bauhaus are all men to watch.

Luke Lamperti could on paper take the stage win as well, although it will be interesting to see if EF will shift the roles instead to work for Marijn van den Berg who offers just as good chances of a second stage win.

*** Biniam Girmay, Luke Lamperti
** Milan Fretin, Marijn van den Berg, Phil Bauhaus
* Orluis Aular, Vito Braet, Jensen Plowright, Cees Bol, Anthony Turgis, Matteo Trentin, Milan Menten

Pick: Biniam Girmay

How: Regular bunch sprint.