Vingegaard Eyes Paris-Nice Victory as Stage 7 Heads to Auron
Nice, France – Jonas Vingegaard continues his dominant run at the 2026 Paris-Nice race, having secured victories in both Stage 4 and Stage 5. The Danish rider has established a commanding lead in the general classification, weathering challenging conditions and a chaotic peloton to position himself as the clear favorite for the overall title. As the race heads towards its conclusion, French riders Kévin Vauquelin, Lenny Martinez and Mathys Rondel will be looking to challenge for a podium finish during the final weekend of competition.
Stage 7 Route and Challenges
Saturday’s Stage 7 will grab riders from Nice to Auron, presenting a significant climbing challenge. The route features three categorized climbs. The first two, Côte de Carros (7km at 5.1%) and Côte de Bouyon (1.7km at 5.3%), come early in the stage. The decisive portion of the race will be the final ascent to Auron, a demanding 7.4km climb with an average gradient of 7%. This summit finish is expected to be a key battleground for the general classification contenders.
How to Watch Stage 7
Cycling fans can tune in to watch Stage 7 of Paris-Nice 2026 live from Nice to Auron on Saturday, March 14th, starting at 13:30 local time (12:30 UTC). Coverage will be available on France 3 and Eurosport 2.
Chaotic Stage 4 Sees Ayuso Abandon, Vingegaard Take Lead
The fourth stage of Paris-Nice was marked by extreme weather and a series of incidents that dramatically reshaped the general classification. Early echelons split the peloton, creating immediate difficulties for several key contenders. Yellow jersey holder Juan Ayuso was unfortunately forced to abandon the race following a crash, along with Brandon McNulty and Iván Romeo. Despite the turmoil, Jonas Vingegaard remained unscathed and capitalized on the situation, securing both the stage win and the race lead.
Vingegaard’s Dominance and Vauquelin’s Frustration
Vingegaard’s performance has been particularly impressive given the challenging conditions. He has consistently outpaced his rivals, building a substantial advantage in the general classification. However, the lack of a coordinated chase from other teams following his attacks has drawn criticism. Kévin Vauquelin, who found himself in a trailing group after the initial splits, expressed his frustration with the lack of cooperation among the riders, stating, “I wasn’t far from Jonas Vingegaard, but people were looking at each other more than actually riding.” This sentiment highlights the tactical complexities and individual ambitions at play within the peloton.
Stage 4 Results
The top ten finishers of Stage 4 were as follows:
- 1. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) – 4:16:12
- 2. Daniel Felipe Martínez (COL) – + 0:41
- 3. Tim van Dijke (NED) – + 0:45
- 4. Mick van Dijke (NED) – + 1:42
- 5. Georg Steinhauser (GER) – + 2:54
- 6. Kévin Vauquelin (FRA) – + 3:38
- 7. Lenny Martinez (FRA) – 4:02
- 8. David Gaudu (FRA) – + 4:20
- 9. Jensen Plowright (AUS) – + 4:54
- 10. Marc Soler (ESP) – + 5:07
General Classification After Stage 4
Here’s the top ten in the general classification after Stage 4:
- 1. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN)
- 2. Daniel Felipe Martínez (COL) – + 0:52
- 3. Georg Steinhauser (GER) – + 3:20
- 4. Kévin Vauquelin (FRA) – + 3:39
- 5. David Gaudu (FRA) – + 5:02
- 6. Lenny Martinez (FRA) – + 5:07
- 7. Tim van Dijke (NED) – + 5:33
- 8. Marc Soler (ESP) – + 5:45
- 9. Jensen Plowright (AUS) – + 6:27
- 10. Ion Izagirre (ESP) – + 6:32
What’s Next?
Following Stage 7’s challenging climb to Auron, the 2026 Paris-Nice race will conclude on Sunday, March 15th, with a relatively flat stage from Levens to Nice. This final stage is likely to favor sprinters, but the overall victory appears to be firmly within Vingegaard’s grasp, barring any unforeseen circumstances. The race’s final outcome will be closely watched by cycling fans worldwide.
What are your predictions for the final stage of Paris-Nice? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
