Paris-Nice, a key early-season race in professional cycling, begins this Sunday, March 8th. The opening stage will cover 171.2 kilometers between Achères and Carrières-sous-Poissy. All eyes will be on Jonas Vingegaard as he makes his 2026 season debut in France, returning to competition after a setback due to a crash during training.
The 84th edition of the “Race to the Sun” features a strong field, headlined by Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike. The Danish rider, a two-time Tour de France champion (2022, 2023), had initially planned to start his season at the UAE Tour but was forced to postpone his return following the incident. His participation in Paris-Nice marks a crucial step in his preparation for the major races later in the year.
Vingegaard isn’t entering the race without competition. Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) is considered his most serious rival, particularly with Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) no longer participating. French hopes will rest on Kévin Vauquelin (INEOS Grenadiers), who will be looking to build his mark on home soil.
Vingegaard Eager to Compete After Winter Training
Despite the disrupted start to his season, Vingegaard expressed confidence ahead of Paris-Nice. “I perceive good,” Vingegaard said, according to Team Visma-Lease a Bike. “I’ve had a strong winter, training has gone very well, and we’re starting with a strong team.” He acknowledged the challenge of facing competitors who have already accumulated more race kilometers but remains focused on his goal.
“Of course, the first race of the season is always exciting, and the competition has more race kilometers in the legs, but I’m really looking forward to riding this stunning race,” Vingegaard added. His ambition is clear: “Whenever I line up at the start, I always want to go for the win.”
Team Visma-Lease a Bike Targets Overall Victory and Team Time Trial Success
Team director Marc Reef echoed Vingegaard’s ambition, stating the team’s intention to contend for the general classification. “We want to go for a strong general classification and be in contention for the win,” Reef said. “Paris-Nice is always a nervous race, so it’s essential to stay alert in every stage.”
Visma-Lease a Bike has a strong track record at Paris-Nice, having won the past two editions with Matteo Jorgenson. A key focus for the team will be the team time trial on day three. Reef emphasized its importance, noting the course is tricky but doesn’t feature extremely challenging mountain stages where significant time gaps are likely to develop.
“The course is tricky, but I don’t consider there are any extremely tough mountain stages where big gaps can be made. That makes the team time trial extremely important,” Reef explained. The team has been preparing specifically for this event, having already practiced their formation. “We’ve studied the course carefully and already trained in our formation. We have a very strong team with plenty of powerful riders, but the course is quite technical. Still, I expect that with our experience we can put in a strong performance and get Jonas to the finish as quickly as possible.”
How to Watch Paris-Nice Stage 1
The first stage of Paris-Nice will be broadcast live on Sunday, March 8th, starting at 15:30 (3:30 PM) Central European Time (CET). For viewers in the United States, that translates to 9:30 AM Eastern Time. The race will be available to watch on France 3 and Eurosport 2.
Fans can also follow updates and results on the official Paris-Nice website: https://www.paris-nice.fr/en/. This site provides detailed rider profiles, stage information, and live timing throughout the race.
Jonas Vingegaard’s return to racing is a significant moment in the 2026 cycling season. His performance at Paris-Nice will be closely watched as he builds towards his next major goals. The race promises to be a thrilling contest, with a strong field of contenders vying for victory.
Following the opening stage, Paris-Nice continues with a challenging route that will test the riders’ endurance and tactical skills. The race concludes on March 15th, and fans can expect a week of exciting cycling action.
