The route for the Queen stage 7 of Paris-Nice 2025 has been modified and shortened attributable to hostile climate circumstances within the Alpes-Maritimes division, with two climbs eliminated and the space lower from 147.8km to 109.3km, race organisers ASO introduced on Friday.
Both the Côte de Belvédère (3.3km at 5.7%) and the Col de La Colmiane (7.5km at 7.1%) had been initially attributable to function however will now be bypassed, attributable to worries over descending off the latter.
The riders will as a substitute head by way of the Var and Tinée Valleys earlier than rejoining the unique route for the ultimate 32.5km. The deliberate stage end in Auron has been preserved, with the day nonetheless set to be selected the 7.3km ascent, which averages a 7.2% gradient.
“The organizers of Paris-Nice have been carefully monitoring the climate circumstances within the Alpes-Maritimes division all through the week. These circumstances stay unfavorable for Saturday, significantly at increased altitudes,” learn an ASO press launch on Friday morning.
“To make sure the riders’ security, the choice to switch the route of stage 7 has been made in settlement with town of Nice, the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture, and in session with the panel of commissaires from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), in addition to representatives of the groups and riders (A.I.G.C.P, C.P.A).”
Grim climate has already performed a task within the 2025 version of Paris-Nice when racing was resumed after being neutralised on stage 4 amid snow falling and freezing temperatures.
With blended opinions from riders over whether or not that stage ought to have continued, ASO has as a substitute moved to scale back the danger and issues over security by guaranteeing {that a} doubtlessly harmful 20km descent off the Colmiane in rain and snow shouldn’t be taken.
This is the second yr in a row that the penultimate stage of Paris-Nice has been modified, with stage 7 final yr additionally deliberate to complete in Auron.
With heavy snow within the area in 2024, that stage end was utterly modified, and the day as a substitute completed up the Madone d’Utelle, the place Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) took the victory forward of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep).
