As anticipated in recent days, the queen stage of Paris-Nice
has officially been shortened due to severe weather conditions, forcing race
organisers ASO to intervene for rider safety.
The decision, which was made in consultation with local
authorities, the UCI commissaires’ panel, and team representatives, means that Stage
7 has been reduced by more than forty kilometres.
"The weather conditions remain unfavourable for
Saturday, especially at higher altitudes," the organisation confirmed. "In
order to guarantee the safety of the riders, the decision to modify the route
of the seventh stage has been taken in consultation with the city of Nice, the
Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur, Alpes-Maritimes and in consultation with the UCI
commissaires' panel and representatives of teams and riders."
The finish in Auron remains unchanged, but the descent of
the Col de la Colmiane has been deemed too dangerous, forcing the organisers to
reroute the stage. As a result, the peloton will now skip both the Côte de
Belvédère and the Col de la Colmiane, instead following a safer alternative
route through the Var valley and then the Tinée valley after 55.8 kilometres.
The riders will then rejoin the original course shortly
before Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée, ensuring that the final 32.5 kilometres remain
intact. Ultimately, this modification reduces the stage from 147.8 kilometres
to 109.3 kilometres, significantly altering the race dynamics.
It has been a challenging day for the race organisers,
already dealing with the shock withdrawal of Jonas Vingegaard earlier in the
morning. After crashing on Stage 5, the defending Paris-Nice champion was
forced to abandon the race, leaving Team Visma | Lease a Bike to rethink their
strategy.
While the shortened stage will dampen some of the excitement
for fans, safety remains the top priority, and the modified course still offers
plenty of opportunities for decisive racing. With fewer kilometres but the same
intense finale, expect fireworks as riders look to take advantage of the
altered stage profile.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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