As it happened: Intense final stage of Paris-Nice culminates in two-up sprint

The final stage of Paris-Nice delivered its customary drama, culminating in a thrilling two-up sprint for the stage victory. While the specific victor and the overall classification winner are yet to be detailed, the report indicates a fiercely contested finale over 145km packed with five major climbs around Nice. This traditional closing spectacle often reshapes the general classification, and this year appears to have been no exception, with the race decided on the very last day.

This perennial nail-biter underscores why Paris-Nice, the 'Race to the Sun', remains a cornerstone of the early season calendar. Its challenging parcours, particularly the Côte d'Azur finale, consistently provides a stern test for GC contenders, often favouring aggressive riders willing to gamble. The compact, mountainous closing stage is a stark contrast to the earlier, flatter days, ensuring that overall victory is never truly secure until the final metres. It’s a blueprint for excitement that other stage races frequently attempt to emulate, often falling short.

Another year, another reminder that Nice always delivers. Some things, thankfully, never change in professional cycling.