Paris–Nice facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paris–Nice

Race details
Date	March
Region	France
Nickname(s)	La course au soleil The Race to the Sun
Discipline	Road
Competition	UCI World Tour
Type	Stage race
Organiser	Amaury Sport Organisation
Race director	Christian Prudhomme
History
First edition	1933 (1933)
Editions	82 (as of 2024)
First winner	Alphonse Schepers (BEL)
Most wins	Sean Kelly (IRL) (7 wins)
Most recent	Matteo Jorgenson (USA)

Paris–Nice is a super exciting bike race held every year in France since 1933. It lasts for eight days and is known as The Race to the Sun. This is because it starts in March, often when it's cold in Paris, and finishes in the sunny city of Nice on the Côte d'Azur. The race usually begins near Paris and ends near Nice, sometimes with a tough climb up the Col d'Èze.

This race is a big deal in cycling and is part of the UCI World Tour. It's the first major stage race in Europe each year. The company that organizes it, ASO, also puts on other famous races like the Tour de France. Many legendary cyclists have won Paris–Nice, including Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, and Miguel Induráin. The record for most wins belongs to Sean Kelly from Ireland, who won seven times in a row! The most recent winner is Matteo Jorgenson from the USA.

In 2003, a sad event happened when a rider named Andrey Kivilev crashed and later passed away. This led to an important rule change: now, all cyclists must wear helmets during races to stay safe. The 2020 Paris–Nice was also special because it was the last big sporting event in France before many activities were stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

History of the Race to the Sun

How Paris–Nice Started

The route of the very first Paris–Nice race in 1933. It was won by Alphonse Schepers.

The Paris–Nice race began in 1933. It was created by Albert Lejeune, who owned newspapers in Paris and Nice. He wanted to promote his papers by linking the two cities with a bike race. The race happened in March, right after winter, making it one of the first big bike races of the year in France.

The first Paris–Nice had six stages and was called Les Six Jours de la Route (Six Days of the Road). The first stage was super long, covering 312 kilometers! Since it was early in the year, the route avoided the high mountains. The first race was won by Alphonse Schepers from Belgium. He wore the leader's jersey from start to finish.

The race was very popular and continued every year until 1939. Other newspapers helped to sponsor it. In 1940, the race stopped because of World War II. After the war, it came back for one year in 1946 but then stopped again until 1951.

The Race Grows Bigger

In 1951, the mayor of Nice, Jean Medecin, brought the race back. He wanted to attract more tourists to Nice and the Côte d'Azur. It was first called Paris-Côte d'Azur, but in 1954, it went back to its original name, Paris–Nice. The race became more important in the 1950s, attracting famous winners like Louison Bobet and Jacques Anquetil.

Jacques Anquetil won Paris–Nice five times.

In 1959, they tried a super long race called Paris–Nice–Rome, but it was too long and didn't happen again. In 1966, there was a famous rivalry between French cycling stars Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor. Anquetil won his fifth and final Paris–Nice that year.

In 1969, the final stage moved to the top of the Col d'Èze hill. Young Eddy Merckx won the time trial there and started a streak of three wins. Raymond Poulidor often finished second. In 1972 and 1973, Poulidor finally beat Merckx to win the race.

In the 1980s, Sean Kelly from Ireland became a legend. He won the race seven times in a row from 1982 to 1988! Other great riders like Miguel Induráin and Laurent Jalabert also won in the 1990s. In 2002, the race was bought by ASO, the same company that runs the Tour de France.

Paris–Nice in the Modern Era

Davide Rebellin in the yellow leader's jersey in 2008.

The 2003 race was very sad because Andrey Kivilev died after a crash. He wasn't wearing a helmet. This tragic event led to the UCI making helmets mandatory for all cyclists in races. His friend, Alexander Vinokourov, won a stage in his honor.

Paris–Nice became part of the new UCI Pro Tour in 2005. It's now a key part of the UCI World Tour and kicks off the European cycling season. In 2012, Bradley Wiggins won the race, and he later went on to win the Tour de France that same year. Many riders who win Paris–Nice also go on to win the Tour de France.

The 2020 Paris–Nice was the last big international sports event in France before the COVID-19 pandemic caused many events to be canceled. The race was shortened and had special rules to keep people safe.

The Race Route

The route of the 2015 Paris–Nice race.

The route of Paris–Nice usually follows a similar pattern. It starts on a Sunday, often with a short time trial near Paris. Then, riders cycle south through France. The first few stages are usually flat, good for fast sprinters. As the race moves south towards the Provence region, the stages become hillier and more mountainous. These are the stages where the overall winner is often decided. The final stage on Sunday usually finishes in Nice, either on the famous Promenade des Anglais or with a tough uphill time trial on the Col d'Èze.

Because it has both time trials and mountain climbs, Paris–Nice is often called a "mini-Tour de France". Riders need to be good at both types of cycling to win. Sometimes, the route changes a bit. For example, the 2014 race didn't have any time trials or mountain-top finishes.

Where the Race Starts

Until 1962, the race always started right in Paris. Since then, it usually starts in smaller towns or suburbs near Paris. Most starts have been in the Île-de-France region, which is around Paris. In 1982, the race even started in Belgium, which was the only time it started outside France. The last time Paris–Nice started in Paris itself was in 2000.

Where the Race Finishes

Paris–Nice often finishes on the beautiful Promenade des Anglais in Nice.

Paris–Nice has always finished in Nice. For many years, it finished on the Quai des États-Unis or the famous Promenade des Anglais. From 1969 to 1995, the race often ended with a time trial up the Col d'Èze. This is a challenging 9-kilometer climb. Sean Kelly won this time trial five times during his winning streak.

In 1996, the finish moved back to the Promenade des Anglais to attract more fans. In recent years, the race often returns to the tough Col d'Èze time trial for the final stage. Bradley Wiggins set a new record for climbing the Col d'Èze in 2012.

Jersey Colours

In cycling, the leader of a race wears a special jersey. In Paris–Nice, the overall leader wears a yellow jersey, just like in the Tour de France. This started in 2008. Before that, the leader's jersey changed colors many times, including blue and gold, green, and white.

The leader of the points classification (for sprinters) wears a green jersey. This has been the color since 2008.

The leader of the King of the Mountains classification (for climbers) wears a white jersey with red polka dots. This is also like the Tour de France. This jersey's color has changed a lot over the years too.

The best young rider wears a white jersey. This jersey was first introduced in 2002.

Winners of Paris–Nice

Sean Kelly won Paris–Nice seven times in a row!

Here is a list of all the amazing cyclists who have won the Paris–Nice race:

		Rider	Team
1933		Schepers, AlphonseAlphonse Schepers		La Française
1934		Rebry, GastonGaston Rebry		Alycon
1935		Vietto, ReneRené Vietto		Helyett–Hutchinson
1936		Archambaud, MauriceMaurice Archambaud		Mercier–Hutchinson
1937		Lapebie, RogerRoger Lapébie		Mercier–Hutchinson
1938		Lowie, JulesJules Lowie		Pélissier-Mercier–Hutchinson
1939		Archambaud, MauriceMaurice Archambaud		Mercier–Hutchinson
1946		Camellini, FermoFermo Camellini		Olmo
1951		Decock, RogerRoger Decock		Bertin
1952		Bobet, LouisonLouison Bobet		Stella-Huret
1953		Munch, Jean-PierreJean-Pierre Munch		Arliguie–Hutchinson
1954		Impanis, RaymondRaymond Impanis		Mercier–BP–Hutchinson
1955		Bobet, JeanJean Bobet		L. Bobet–BP–Hutchinson
1956		Bruyne, Fred DeFred De Bruyne		Mercier–BP–Hutchinson
1957		Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil		Helyett
1958		Bruyne, Fred DeFred De Bruyne		Carpano
1959		Graczyck, JeanJean Graczyck		Helyett
1960		Impanis, RaymondRaymond Impanis		Faema
1961		Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil		Helyett–Fynsec
1962		Planckaert, JosephJoseph Planckaert		Flandria–Faema
1963		Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil		St.Raphael–Gitane
1964		Janssen, JanJan Janssen		Pelforth–Sauvage
1965		Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil		Ford–Gitane
1966		Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil		Ford–Hutchinson
1967		Simpson, TomTom Simpson		Peugeot–BP–Michelin
1968		Wolfshohl, RolfRolf Wolfshohl		Bic
1969		Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx		Faema
1970		Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx		Faemino
1971		Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx		Molteni
1972		Poulidor, RaymondRaymond Poulidor		Gan–Mercier–Hutchinson
1973		Poulidor, RaymondRaymond Poulidor		Gan–Mercier–Hutchinson
1974		Zoetemelk, JoopJoop Zoetemelk		Gan–Mercier–Hutchinson
1975		Zoetemelk, JoopJoop Zoetemelk		Gan–Mercier–Hutchinson
1976		Laurent, MichelMichel Laurent		Miko–de Gribaldy
1977		Maertens, FreddyFreddy Maertens		Flandria–Faema
1978		Knetemann, GerrieGerrie Knetemann		TI–Raleigh–McGregor
1979		Zoetemelk, JoopJoop Zoetemelk		Miko–Mercier
1980		Duclos-Lassalle, GilbertGilbert Duclos-Lassalle		Peugeot–Esso–Michelin
1981		Roche, StephenStephen Roche		Peugeot–Esso–Michelin
1982		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Sem–France Loire
1983		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Sem–France Loire
1984		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Skil–Sem–Reydel
1985		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Skil–Sem–Reydel
1986		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Kas–Mavic
1987		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Kas
1988		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Kas–Mavic
1989		Induráin, MiguelMiguel Induráin		Reynolds
1990		Induráin, MiguelMiguel Induráin		Banesto
1991		Rominger, TonyTony Rominger		Toshiba
1992		Bernard, Jean-FrançoisJean-François Bernard		Banesto
1993		Zulle, AlexAlex Zülle		ONCE
1994		Rominger, TonyTony Rominger		Mapei–CLAS
1995		Jalabert, LaurentLaurent Jalabert		ONCE
1996		Jalabert, LaurentLaurent Jalabert		ONCE
1997		Jalabert, LaurentLaurent Jalabert		ONCE
1998		Vandenbroucke, FrankFrank Vandenbroucke		Mapei–Bricobi
1999		Boogerd, MichaelMichael Boogerd		Rabobank
2000		Kloden, AndreasAndreas Klöden		Team Telekom
2001		Frigo, DarioDario Frigo		Fassa Bortolo
2002		Vinokourov, AlexandreAlexandre Vinokourov		Team Telekom
2003		Vinokourov, AlexandreAlexandre Vinokourov		Team Telekom
2004		Jaksche, JorgJörg Jaksche		Team CSC
2005		Julich, BobbyBobby Julich		Team CSC
2006		Landis, FloydFloyd Landis		Phonak
2007		Contador, AlbertoAlberto Contador		Discovery Channel
2008		Rebellin, DavideDavide Rebellin		Gerolsteiner
2009		Sanchez, Luis LeonLuis León Sánchez		Caisse d'Epargne
2010		Contador, AlbertoAlberto Contador		Astana
2011		Martin, TonyTony Martin		HTC–Highroad
2012		Wiggins, BradleyBradley Wiggins		Team Sky
2013		Porte, RichieRichie Porte		Team Sky
2014		Betancur, CarlosCarlos Betancur		Ag2r–La Mondiale
2015		Porte, RichieRichie Porte		Team Sky
2016		Thomas, GeraintGeraint Thomas		Team Sky
2017		Henao, SergioSergio Henao		Team Sky
2018		Soler, MarcMarc Soler		Movistar Team
2019		Bernal, EganEgan Bernal		Team Sky
2020		Schachmann, MaximilianMaximilian Schachmann		Bora–Hansgrohe
2021		Schachmann, MaximilianMaximilian Schachmann		Bora–Hansgrohe
2022		Roglič, PrimožPrimož Roglič		Team Jumbo–Visma
2023		Pogačar, TadejTadej Pogačar		UAE Team Emirates
2024		Jorgenson, MatteoMatteo Jorgenson		Visma–Lease a Bike

Riders with Multiple Wins

Some cyclists have won Paris–Nice more than once. Here are the riders who have won it at least twice:

Wins	Rider	Editions
7	Seán Kelly	1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
5	Jacques Anquetil	1957, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966
3	Eddy Merckx	1969, 1970, 1971
	Joop Zoetemelk	1974, 1975, 1979
	Laurent Jalabert	1995, 1996, 1997
2	Maurice Archambaud	1936, 1939
	Raymond Impanis	1954, 1960
	Fred De Bruyne	1956, 1958
	Raymond Poulidor	1972, 1973
	Miguel Induráin	1989, 1990
	Tony Rominger	1991, 1994
	Alexander Vinokourov	2002, 2003
	Alberto Contador	2007, 2010
	Richie Porte	2013, 2015
	Maximilian Schachmann	2020, 2021

Wins by Country

Here's how many times riders from different countries have won Paris–Nice:

Wins	Country
21	France
14	Belgium
8	Ireland
6	Germany (including  West Germany)  Netherlands  Spain
3	Colombia  Great Britain  Italy  Switzerland  United States
2	Australia  Kazakhstan  Slovenia

Fun Facts About Paris–Nice

• The youngest rider to win Paris–Nice was René Vietto in 1935. He was only 21 years old!
• The oldest winner was Raymond Poulidor in 1973, who was 37.
• France has the most wins as a country, but no French rider has won since Laurent Jalabert in 1997.
• Twelve winners of Paris–Nice have also won the famous Tour de France in their careers! This includes cycling legends like Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, and Miguel Induráin.

See also

In Spanish: París-Niza para niños