Overview
Start the season off in the sunshine.
Come ride the Paris – Nice Sportive on the beautiful Cote d’Azur. At the end of an amazing few days on the roads around Nice you will test yourself on the route of the final stage of the World Tour race. Then watch from the roadside as the pro’s ride the exact same route the next day.
During the week we’ll take you up into the beautiful hills (and mountains) behind Nice and prepare your mind and legs for the challenge of the 131km (2,370m) sportive.
Most days riding will be between 70 and 90km (with 750 to 1,500m of climbing) with an easier coffee ride on Friday to ensure you’re in prime condition for the main event.
Highlights
- Riding the final stage of Paris-Nice then watching the Pro’s from the roadside the following day
- Early season training in the Cote d’Azur sunshine
- Climbing the famous Col de la Madone
Itinerary
Each day we’ll leave from our hotel around 9:30am and spend the morning exploring the excellent roads - with coffee and pastry stops built in.
We’ll usually return to the hotel in time for a shower and late lunch. Then the afternoon is yours to get a massage, rest up and explore the fabulous city of Nice.
We’ll typically have dinner around 7:30pm.
You will be collected from Nice airport or main train station. Our hotel also has parking in case you come by car.
We will go for an afternoon ride into the hills above the city. We’ll head out up the Var valley alongside the river to the foot of your first climb, La Roquette (6.2km at 5.9%). This is quickly followed by the Col de Chateauneuf (5.4km at 5.6%). We then descend to Contes and climb again up to the Col du Calaïsson.
Then from the top we’ve a wonderful 30km downhill run back to the hotel.
In the evening we’ll have a welcome dinner and briefing for the days ahead.
Today we take on the famous Col d’Eze and Col de la Madone. We start by heading along the seafront to the port of Nice before climbing up into the hills to the Col d’Eze (9.5km at 4.8%).
After a long downhill above Monaco we start the Madone from Menton. This climb was made famous as a testing ground for many of the pro riders who lived along the Cote d’Azur. It is 13km long at an average of 6.7%.
From the top it is downhill all the way to Nice and the hotel.
Friday is the day to rest and recover before the Sportive – so we take the opportunity to spin along the coast to beautiful Cap d’Antibes for a coffee and then head into Nice in the afternoon to pick up our race packs, before getting that all important pre-race massage.
There’s still plenty of time to tune up the bikes and prep all our kit for the morning.
Race day! After a hearty breakfast we’ll roll down to the start in plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere.
This year there are three route options so you can choose on the day depending on how you’re feeling.
This beautiful sportive really shows off the best of the Nice hinterlands and you’ll be all prepared for what is to come after our reconnaissance rides earlier in the week. We’ll be waiting for you at the finish ready to celebrate your fantastic achievements.
A spin back to the hotel and a most welcome massage will fill your afternoon before gathering for drinks and dinner and reflecting back on a great ride.
An easy start to the day beckons before heading into Nice to see the race departure. Then we are free to explore the city, usually finding a good bar in which to watch the race, before heading back out to the finish line to see the champions of the Race to Sun.
We can also do a morning recovery ride if the legs are not too tired after Saturday’s race.
You can choose to depart on Sunday evening if flights are convenient.
You will be taken by minibus to either the airport of train station following breakfast.
Package
The tour includes
- 5 nights half-board in a 4-star Hotel in Nice
- Entry to the Paris Nice Challenge Sportive
- Daily post ride massage (30 mins minimum)
- Knowledgeable guides with you on the road every day (1 guide for every 6 guests)
- Borne Cycling jersey and socks
- Great food (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Support van carrying complementary nutrition products (bars, gels and drinks) and “wet bag” always on hand
- Route files to upload to your devices
- Experienced mechanic (with full set of tools)
- Bike wash
- Airport transfers to and from Nice airport / train station
A set of preparatory rides showing you the roads that you’ll encounter on the day of the race. This will allow you to mentally and physically prepare for the event to ensure you ride to your full potential. Riding the roads in advance also allows you to fully soak in the environment, with plenty of time to take photos, stop in local cafes, and enjoy the quiet climbs and descents.
The week is also set up to give you plenty of time to enjoy the wonderful maritime city nicknamed Nice La Belle (Nice the beautiful).
We will stay at the excellent 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel right on the seafront. The hotel is perfect for getting into the hills and gives easy access to the City via the train that stops right outside the hotel.
This week is ideal for riders who want an early season challenge in the sunshine, and for those maybe looking to complete their first sportive abroad. The event itself is shorter with less climbing than some of the more famous events such as the Maratona dles Dolomites, l’Etape or La Marmotte and as such is very achievable even to those relatively new to cycling.
The training rides during the week are also tailored so as not to exhaust you, but to give you a feel for the hills and climbs that you’ll encounter on the day of the event.
If you’re a fan of pro racing, the chance to get up close to the World Tour riders on the Sunday is also a massive bonus.
You can find an exhaustive packing list here.
Borne Cycling was established with one simple goal: to enable cyclists like you to see some of the world’s most spectacular roads.
We use our knowledge and experience to give you a cycling tour that will live long in the memory. We also make your tour as comfortable and worry free as possible, leaving you free to concentrate on the important stuff.
