Paris Nice Challenge

The Paris Nice Challenge offers road cyclists a 109 km route starting from Nice, featuring 1,850 metres of elevation gain in the Alpes-Maritimes. Taking place in early March, it crosses the same region that provides the Paris-Nice race with its concluding challenges: the Mediterranean coast, the roads above Nice, and the ascents of the Nice hinterland. The course follows the Mediterranean coastline before heading inland to hillier terrain, making it more than just a flat coastal ride. Its connection to Paris-Nice is significant because the professional race concludes in Nice following stages suited for sprinters, a team time trial, and demanding mountain segments that may incorporate climbs like the Col de la Couillole. The Challenge mirrors that environment for participants: roads at sea level, mountain air, and a route designed for exploring the Alpes-Maritimes by bicycle.