Startlist Paris-Nice 2026 | Riders: Jonas Vingegaard, Joao Almeida, Juan Ayuso, Oscar Onley, Biniam Girmay, Michael Matthews

The preliminary startlist for Paris-Nice 2026, set to take place from 8 to 15 March, has been revealed, and the Race to the Sun is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive early-season stage races on the calendar.

With Grand Tour winners, proven week-long specialists and emerging GC talents all pencilled in, the WorldTour heads to France for eight days of racing with serious depth. While changes can still occur before the final startlist is confirmed, the names currently entered suggest a high-level general classification battle from start to finish.
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The most recent edition in 2025 was won by Matteo Jorgenson, who successfully defended the title he first claimed in 2024. His back-to-back victories confirmed his status as one of the peloton’s most reliable performers in one-week stage races.

In 2023, Tadej Pogacar delivered a dominant overall victory, combining climbing aggression with time trial strength to take control of the race. The 2022 edition went to Primoz Roglic after a tightly fought week that once again underlined how decisive the final mountain stages around Nice can be.

Recent winners reflect a clear pattern. Paris-Nice is consistently claimed by riders capable of influencing the biggest races later in the season. The 2026 startlist suggests that trend is unlikely to change.

At the top of the billing sits Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma - Lease a Bike). The Danish Tour de France winner’s presence immediately elevates the race, particularly on a route that traditionally rewards complete stage racers with time trial and climbing strength.

Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG) adds proven consistency to the field. The Portuguese rider has become one of the most dependable GC contenders in week-long races and is well-suited to a balanced parcours.

Juan Ayuso leads a strong Lidl - Trek line-up that also includes Mattias Skjelmose and Lennard Kamna, giving the team multiple tactical options if all riders make the final startlist.

For INEOS Grenadiers, the leading figure on this preliminary list is Oscar Onley. The Brit continues to establish himself as a serious stage race contender and will be closely watched against more established GC names.

Elsewhere, riders such as Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar Team), David Gaudu (Groupama - FDJ United) and Sergio Higuita (XDS Astana Team) further strengthen the GC depth.

Beyond the overall contenders, the startlist also features punchy stage hunters such as Michael Matthews, Biniam Girmay and Jasper Stuyven, ensuring that reduced sprints and rolling finishes will also play a significant role across the week.