News

For more than a hundred years, Paris-Tours presented a completely flat route and was one of the fastest one-day races of the season, well-deserving the nickname “the sprinters' classic”. Since 2018, however, the introduction of a combination of short climbs and dirt roads between vineyards in the final part of the course has changed the idiosyncrasy of the race, which is now closer to Paris-Roubaix or Tro Bro Leon.

Always raced in autumn, Paris-Tours marks the final point of the French calendar. Although it is not considered a monument nor is it part of the WorldTour, it was held for the first time in 1896, making it one of the 4 races from the 19th century that are still held today, along with Paris - Roubaix (1896), Liège-Bastogne-Liège (1892) and Milano-Torino (1876).

Route

As we were saying, the route of this edition of Paris-Tours follows the path marked out in 2018, when some small hills and the famous unpaved chemins de vigne (vineyard paths) were introduced. On this occasion, in the last 60 kilometers of the race, the cyclists will have to overcome 8 short climbs and 10 kilometers on gravel before reaching the finish line in Tours. It is a race where skill, luck and placement are key.

In addition, the wind can also be a factor to take into account, since many parts of the route pass through exposed areas and it would not be strange for echelons to form.

Favorites

The history and prestige of the race has attracted a number of top sprinters and classics’ riders. Arnaud Demare (1000), Jasper Philipsen (1200), Stefan Küng (800), Christophe Laporte (800), Magnus Cort Nielsen (800), Jasper Stuyven (600), Matteo Trentin (400), Bryan Coquard (600), Hugo Hofstetter (400), Mike Teunissen (400), Benoît Cosnefroy (400), Luca Mozzato (400), Alberto Bettiol (400), Victor Campenaerts (400), Olav Kooij (600), Jake Stewart (400), Amaury Capiot ( 400), Simone Consonni (400) or Anthony Turgis (400) are some of the main names on a starting list that promises a beautiful battle.