Profiles Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var 2022

This weekend we have racing in France as the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var takes off for another edition, this one a bit more friendly to some sprinters and puncheurs which has attracted a more illustrious startlist.

Taking place in the Alpes Maritimes, southeastern France, it is no surprise that the race is done in the hills but the organizers have managed to make it a less brutal route this year.

Having only three days of racing also makes a difference when comparing to the other stage-races going on at the moment, the opening day is simultaneously the longest as the peloton tackle a 176 kilomer hilly stage from Saint-Raphaël to La Seyne-sur-Mer in what is perhaps the most suited day to the sprints. Having a hilltop summit with 12 kilometers to go, 4.8Km at 3.9% which should thin out the field and be a launchpad for attacks, but ultimately there will be interests to keep the race compact.

The second day doesn't have a summit finish but it's the closest thing to it as the peloton will go up the Col'Éze, familiar sight in Paris-Nice. The stage is a roller-coaster, however with the 7.3Km at 5.8% climb summiting with just six kilometers to the finish, the GC contenders will be looking to make their differences there.

As for the final day it is ideal for raids as it's a roller-coaster through a very short stage of only 112 kilometers. There are few flat kilometers in the day however all the climbs are gentle enough to allow many riders to jump in groups, making it a very unpredictable day as everything can happen.