We participated in the Paris Nice Challenge
On 15/03, our cycling travel agency started the Paris-Nice Challenge. We tell you about our experience on the roads of the professional peloton.
Paris Nice Challenge: the cyclosportist of a mythical stage
On March 15, our team had the chance to participate in Paris Nice Challenge, an unmissable cycling event for road bike enthusiasts. On the eve of the final professional stage of the race Paris Nice, we rode on the same course as the pros, in a setting that was as demanding as it was grandiose.
A day that starts early (and in the rain)
Preparation | 06:30
It was in a still sleepy atmosphere that we prepared our bikes. The sky is busy, and the weather doesn't seem to make it any easier for us. At 07:30 the start was given. Despite the persistent rain, the excitement is there: 130 km and 2500 m of positive altitude difference waiting for us.
From the first kilometers, the peloton is formed. We even come across the former yellow jersey from the Tour de France, Thomas Voeckler, who also came to take up the challenge. An inspiring presence that sets the tone for the day.
Mythical passes to climb
The beginning of difficulties | 09:00
At kilometer 50, serious things start. The peloton exploded from the first ramps of the Col de la Porte : 7 km at 7.2%. The legs are burning, the faces are closing. The real Paris-Nice starts here. In the rain, the descent is technical, but also superb, the road winds through the typical landscapes of the Nice hinterland.
We cross a few picturesque villages before continuing With the Côte de Peille : 6.5 km to 6.9%, just as demanding.
Fatigue is beginning to be felt, the legs are heavy. After 30 minutes of effort, we finally went downhill. A few hectares later, a left turn could take us to the Col de la Madone, that will be for another time.
A small group of 10 cyclists gather at the summit and we start the descent together. This time the descent is fast, everyone takes turns, the road has been redone and the visibility excellent, the clouds have disappeared in favor of some welcome rays of sunshine. We follow the heights of Monaco and cross the village of La Turbie. The panorama is sublime, you can enjoy the view of the Mediterranean.
The Col d'Èze, the wall of the 4 paths, then pride at the finish!
Arrival in Nice | 13:00
The show was short lived. We reach the foot of the Col d'Èze, and a new wall is in front of us: some ramps culminate in 13%. We throw our last forces into the battle, the encouragement of the few spectators on the side of the road has the effect of a boost, we switch again.
The kilometers accumulate, the faces are marked, but the desire remains intact. We drive where the pros will play for victory the next day. Last challenge before reaching the finish line: Col des 4 Chemins, 3.6 km to 8.8%, with one kilometer to more than 13% average. An explosive finish that requires everything left in your legs. The gels no longer seem to work, we are stuck, we lift our heads, everyone zigzags on this last ramp. A few more meters... That's it, we did it!
We go back down, direction the corniche to cross the finish line drawn on the Promenade des Anglais. We finish with the same small group, formed a little earlier at the top of the Côte de Peille, tired but proud of this performance. Participating in the Paris-Nice Challenge is like living The intensity of a cycling race, but also sharing, collective effort, and this common passion for cycling. The discovery of this region gave us many ideas to offer you a new bike trip among our catalogue. Our crossing of the Alps will also start from Nice to reach Annecy, join the KomUnity peloton!
The next day, the pros completed this legendary stage. We saw the American Matteo Jorgenson Win the Overall standings for the second time in a row ahead of the German Florian Lipowitz and the Dutch Thymen Arensman, while Magnus Sheffield won the Nice stage.
