PREVIEW | Tour de la Provence 2024 - Can Mads Pedersen get his second GC of the year?

Profiles. From the 8th to the 11th of February, racing in France continues. After a year of absence, the riders once again take to the start of the Tour de la Provence, with four days of racing in the Mediterranean coast with the good weather. Mads Pedersen is the clear favorite to win the overall classification.

The race begins in Marseille, the most notable city in the region. it is a out-and-back effort right by the coast where we will see the first gaps appear in the race, and decide the first leader of the overall classification.

The second day of racing takes place from Aix-en-Provence to Martigues. Only 158 kilometers on the menu, it is a flat day of racing with a few small hilltops. Nothing but the wind can prevent a bunch sprint on this day, which ends at exact sea level.

Perhaps the queen stage. The race will only feature some small ascents on stage 2 this year, and it is a day where not only sprinters can perform, but also puncheurs and classics specialists. A 6.6-kilometer climb at 4.8% summits with 26 kilometers to go, and some rolling roads lead to Manosque. The finale is slightly uphill, a hilltop finish, where a sprint will nevertheless be expected.

The race ends in Arles this year. No mountains on the course, the race is suited to the sprinters and will end with a pan-flat day. The wind may play a role in the exposed coastal roads, where the race will ultimately be decided.

*** Mads Pedersen
** Armirail, Zingle, Gibbons
* García Pierna, Godon, Kirsch, Leroux

Pick: Mads Pedersen