Upcoming: 65th Paris-Nice, March 9-16, 2008

The 2008 Paris-Nice race route

Over the past few weeks, the rift between ASO, the organizers of Paris-Nice, and the UCI has been well documented across print and online media. That said, Euro Peloton will instead focus on the racing that is about to ensue on Saturday. The Paris-Nice course lay out for 2008 should make it one of the most dramatic editions of the race in years. Excitement is in store for all, as ASO presents a mini Tour de France in March. Indeed, the only piece missing from Paris-Nice is a long time trial (and the Astana team), but with the amount of climbing that the field will tackle, the lack of a race of truth is understandable.

St. Etienne, the site of many great moments in the Tour de France, will welcome the peloton home after a hard day in the saddle in stage three

The 65th Paris-Nice stage race embarks from Amilly in France, and this year's edition is a particularly hilly version, as the feared and famous Mont Ventoux climb will present itself to the peloton in stage four. And it won't be just one day of climbing, but several, as stage three takes the riders over a category one climb on the way to Saint-Étienne, and stage seven travels over three category one climbs for the final stage circuit race that begins and ends in Nice. It will be a race to the sun by way of the mountains, as the winner will most certainly be a strong climber.

Many prominent pros past and present feel the Ventoux is the hardest climb in cycling

After a prologue time trial to establish a GC, stage one will give the sprinters in the race one of their only chances at victory. Look for the big Norwegian, Thor Hushovd of Credit Agricole, new Liquigas rider Daniele Bennati or Slipstream American Tyler Farrar at the front after a mostly flat day. Stage two is a bit hillier, with four categorized climbs over the final 60 kilometers. Stage two looks custom made for a breakaway. Look for lava-hot Phillipe Gilbert of Francaise des Jeux to escape with a handful of others. Former French champ Nicolas Vogondy, Anthony Geslin of the Bouyges Telecom team, David Moncoutie of the French Cofidis, Stefan Schumacher of Gerolsteiner, and Juan Antonio Flecha all could make it into the break. The big guns won't mind if the above type riders get away, as they will be dropped early on the next day's stage.

Nice is really nice, needless to say

It is on stage three that the race to the sun will turn. The pack will face a long hard day, as a stiff category one climb over the Col d'fut d'Avenas only 20 kilometers from the finish, will thin the leading group. Look for the contenders to ratchet up the pace to see who is weak, hence reducing the list of contenders going into the decisive next day up the Mont Ventoux. Expect pre-race favorites like Davide Rebellin and David Millar to hang tough in stage three, but the sprinters for sure will be driving the Autobus to the finish.

Stage four will expose those riders that are not at top fitness

Stage four should make for some very compelling riding, as some of the best climbers in the world will test each other on the moon-like landscape of the Mont Ventoux. Some of the big guns to watch for the stage will be "Il Piccolo Principe" Damiano Cunego, who is building his form for the Tour de France, CSC's Frank Schleck and Lotto's Cadel Evans, who are also targeting the Grand Boucle, Gerolsteiner's Bernhard Kohl, who has made Paris-Nice one of his season objectives, FDJ's Sandy Casar, always a game climber, Euskadel Euskadi's Samy Sanchez, who loves the high passes, Rabobank's Robert Gesink, 2007 and 2008 best young rider at the Tour of California, and French champion Christophe Moreau, who is always motivated on home soil. Pre-race favorites Davide Rebellin and David Millar will no doubt be dropped during stage five, ending their overall hopes.

The Gargoyle: Kohl rode hard in California with an eye on Nice this year

After two moderate stages, the final stage of the event will once again put the heat on the non-climbers. Three category one climbs will stretch the field again, and force the race leader to defend against hostile adversaries. In all probability, the leader going into the stage will have to defend multiple attacks, as the time gaps to the four or five remaining contenders should be small. Expect a tense stage to the end, before an eventual winner is crowned in the sunny city of Nice, France.

Stage seven is tough, as the three cat. 1's will slow the already tired field on the way to Nice

For surprise GC contenders, keep an eye out for Caisse d'Eparge's Luis Leon Sanchez and Oscar Periero, Credit Agricole's Alexander Botchorov, who showed well in Mallorca, Jose Angel Marchante and Lotto's Mario Aerts to be active yet unmarked throughout the race. These three can all climb, and may get the green light to go for theirs if their team leaders are suffering. And don't forget about Bobby Julich. He has one the event before, and can climb with the best when on good form. CSC never enters a rider unless they're up to the challenge, so assume that the Danish squad will come to the table with a few different cards to play.

Euro Peloton's picks

1st Frank Schleck

2nd Robert Gesink

3rd Cadel Evans

A special thank you from Euro Peloton to "New York Fan" for your continued support! Our sport is made better through passionate fans like yourself.