The Inner Ring | Highlights of 2025 - Part IV: A Week of Action in Paris-Nice
The Race of a Lifetime: Paris-Nice 2025
Paris-Nice, a week-long cycling event, offers a unique blend of challenges and rewards. Unlike other races, it's not just about a single day or moment; it's about the cumulative effort and strategy over seven days. This year, the race showcased the beauty of France's countryside, with a focus on the regions in between Paris and Nice, rather than the cities themselves. The wintry conditions added an extra layer of difficulty, making it a true test of endurance and skill.
The Race Unfolds
The opening stage saw Julian Alaphilippe and Alexandre Delettre battling for a Tour wildcard, while Matteo Jorgenson secured a time bonus and virtual leadership for Visma-LAB. Tim Merlier won the stage, and the following day, Delettre took more mountains points. Jonas Abrahamsen rode solo for much of the stage, with his Uno-X team aiming for one of the two invites.
The team time trial was a pivotal moment, with Jorgenson taking the yellow jersey for Visma-LAB, while UAE struggled, derailing João Almeida's GC ambitions. Almeida won at the Loge des Gardes after a hectic day, with Ineos on the attack, but everyone was halted by an icy downpour, freezing many riders to the bone.
The Climbs and Contenders
Lenny Martinez won the "wall" stage above La Côte-Saint André, surging past Jorgenson atop a tortuous climb. Several GC contenders were caught out, with Vingegaard sore from a crash and Ben O'Connor and Mattias Skjelmose struggling. Stage 6 saw Visma-LAB attack on a descent, splitting the field, with Mads Pedersen outsprinting Josh Tarling.
The weather front brought snow at altitude, and Stage 7 saw the climb of the Col St. Martin to La Colmiane zapped. Michael Storer got in a break, with team mate Julian Alaphilippe propelling the break before Storer won. The final day saw Pedersen on the rampage, but it was too mountainous for him, with Magnus Sheffield jumping away after the climb to Peille and riding away for the stage win.
Why the Highlight?
Paris-Nice is a week of action, where victory often requires involvement every day, a time bonus here, a split there. A power-to-weight ratio is necessary but not sufficient; the race rewards racecraft too. With the GC race alongside the daily stage contests, rather than as a separate event, there's more to watch and more to analyze.
The Controversy and Counterpoints
The race also sparked debates and differing opinions. Some questioned the inclusion of a GC rider in the cobbled classics, while others praised the tactical finesse and focus of certain teams. The wildcard subplot added an extra layer of intrigue, with teams duelling for the last invite. The rules were bent to allow all three teams to ride the Tour, but 2026 looks very different with new invites and no tension.
Looking Back: A Year of Cycling Highlights
Paris-Nice 2025 was just one of many cycling highlights in 2025. The Tour de Suisse and Itzulia Basque Country also provided clear winners, but with fewer of the infernal backcountry ramps that define the races. Almeida won both, showcasing his dominance in the GC race.
The Future of Cycling: A New Era?
As the year draws to a close, the future of cycling looks bright, with new invites and a fresh era of racing on the horizon. The next step for Jorgenson might be the 2026 Giro, but with a new generation of riders and teams, the landscape of cycling is set to change.
