The European cycling season is now fully engaged with two famed stage races either underway or coming up: the 77th edition of the eight-stage Paris-Nice race and the 54th Tirreno-Adriatico, in seven stages from 13-19 March.
● Paris-Nice: Two wins for Dylan Groenewegen in the first two stages
Dutch rider Dylan Groenewegen is enjoying the 2019 edition of Paris-Nice, as he has won both of the first two stages.
There are eight prior medalists competing in the 2019 edition, including some of the top riders in the world:
● Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP) ~ Winner in 2009
● Sergio Henao (COL) ~ Winner in 2017
● Marc Soler (ESP) ~ Winner in 2018
● Simon Yates (GBR) ~ Second in 2018; 2018 Vuelta a Espana champion
● Michal Kwiatkowski (POL) ~ Second in 2015
● Simon Spilak (SLO) ~ Third in 2015
● Gorka Izagirre (ESP) ~ Third in 2018
● Arthur Vichot (FRA) ~ Third in 2014
There are plenty of other contenders, including Rigoberto Uran (COL: Giro d’Italia and Tour France runner-up); 2012 World Champion Philippe Gilbert (BEL), France’s Romain Bardet, also a Tour de France runner-up and more. Summaries and stages:
UCI World Tour/Paris-Nice
France ~ 10-17 March 2019
(Full results here)
Stage 1 (138.5 km): 1. Dylan Groenewegen (NED), 3:17:35; 2. Caleb Ewan (AUS), 3:17:35; 3. Fabio Jakobsen (NED), 3:17:35; 4. Sam Bennett (IRL), 3:17:35; 5. John Degenkolb (GER), 3:17:35.
Stage 2 163.5 km): 1. Groenewegen (NED), 3:14:04; 2. Ivan Garcia Cortina (ESP), 3:14:04; 3. Philippe Gilbert (BEL), 3:14:04; 4. Matteo Trentin (ITA), 3:14:04; 5. Michal Kwiatkowski (POL), 3:14:04. Also in the top 50: 36. Tejay van Garderen (USA), 3:14:09; … 50. Lawson Craddock (USA), 3:14:56.
12 March: Stage 3 (200.0 km): Cepoy to Moulines/Yzeure (flat)
13 March: Stage 4 (212.0 km): Vichy to Pélussin (hilly)
14 March: Stage 5 (25.5 km Individual Time Trial): Barbentane (flat)
15 March: Stage 6 (176.5 km): Peynier to Brignoles (mountains)
16 March: Stage 7 (181.5 km): Nice to Col de Turini (mountain finish)
17 March: Stage 8 (110.0 km): Nice to Nice (hilly)
● Tirreno-Adriatico: Nibali looks for third win vs. van Avemaet, Sagan and others
The famed race across Italy – run between the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts – starts on Wednesday with the first of seven stages:
13 March: Stage 1 (21.5 km Team Time Trial): Lido di Camaiore (flat)
14 March: Stage 2 (195.0 km): Camaiore to Pomarance (hilly)
15 March: Stage 3 (226.0 km): Pomarance to Foligno (hilly)
16 March: Stage 4 (221.0 km): Foligno to Fossombrone (hilly)
17 March: Stage 5 (180.0 km): Colli al Metauro to Recanati (hilly)
18 March: Stage 6 (195.0 km): Matelica to Jesi (mountains)
19 March: Stage 7 (10.0 km Individual Time Trial): San Benedetto del Tronto (flat)
First held in 1966, it began as a three-day race, but expanded until 2002, when it reached its current seven stages. The superstar field includes nine prior medal winners:
● Vicenzo Nibali (ITA) ~ Winner in 2012 and 2013; won all three Grand Tours
● Greg van Avermaet (BEL) ~ Winner in 2016
● Peter Sagan (SVK) ~ Runner-up in 2016
● Robert Gesink (NED) ~ Runner-up in 2011
● Damiano Caruso (ITA) ~ Second in 2018
● Rohan Dennis (AUS) ~ Second in 2017
● Geraint Thomas (GBR) ~ Third in 2018; 2018 Tour de France champion
● Thibaut Pinot (FRA) ~ Third in 2017
● Roman Kreuziger (CZE) ~ Third in 2014
There are other contenders as well, including Rafal Majka (POL), Strade Biache winner Julian Alaphilippe (FRA), sprint star Elia Viviani (ITA) and more. Look for results here.