Inside cycling, a classic is emerging with its own color, arriving faster than expected. The debate centers on two riders with Tour ambitions, Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, who will begin their season this Sunday in Paris-Nice, with racing continuing through Sunday the 12th and coverage on Teledeporte and Eurosport.
Relating to
Spectacular view of Pidcock on Strade Bianche
They both want to arrive in Nice wearing the same kit, the same yellow and the same sponsors. On Sunday, July 23, they aim to raise the banner on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, the world’s most famous cycling street. Both will start the race with the objective of adding wins to their campaigns, joining the Carrera del Sol with momentum. Pogacar opened the year with a strong performance at Jaén Paraíso, covering the early kilometers with purpose. He then competed in the Andalusia Tour, claiming three of five stages, and two wins escaped due to a wind-affected final climb that canceled one stage.
Vingegaard joined the Galician race O Gran Camiño and captured three of four stages. Like Pogacar, he did not appear on the first day because of snow-related cancellations.
ParisBeautiful
Have fun! Our team for Paris-Nice
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling
So both riders will push to maximize speed and intensity during a week that also features Tirreno-Adriatico, a route long known for its high-level talent and a star-studded lineup that includes Roglic, Van Aert, Pidcock, Van der Poel, Mas, Landa, and Alaphilippe, among others. Over the years, the two races have often run simultaneously, thrilling fans who follow this dual narrative.
Italy to France
The discussion of the “race of two seas” in Italy won’t erase the impact of Pogacar versus Vingegaard, especially as Pogacar outlined a new approach for 2023. He typically rode Tirreno-Adriatico to win, but he chose different routes this season, embracing Paris-Nice and other challenges to broaden his repertoire, motivated by a desire to claim victory in events he hadn’t previously pursued.
If there was any doubt about Vingegaard’s early-season ambitions in Galicia, it’s clear now: he intends to go all out, to attack, to perform on time trials, and to leave Paris-Nice with a strong set of results as a springboard toward the Tour.
The Race to the Sun is about to begin—mark your calendars for the 81st edition of Paris-Nice.
The two riders will face several days, including Sunday and Monday, to warm up and test each other’s pace. Wednesday will bring the first true challenge with a mountain stage and an ensuing team time trial, where a slip in performance could swing the final outcome in favor of one team or the other. From Wednesday onward, the climbs intensify, culminating in two summit finishes, a crossing day, a descent after a port, and the final stage near Nice that promises a dramatic end to a week of top-tier cycling.
Inside cycling, a classic is unfolding at pace, with Pogacar and Vingegaard leading a narrative that attracts fans across Canada and the United States. The season-opening drama, the strategic moves, and the mounting tension on every climb will keep audiences glued as Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico unfold in tandem, delivering a no-nonsense, high-profile early-season showcase for the sport.
☀ La Course au Soleil signals the moment of reunion. The 81st edition of Paris-Nice starts this Sunday. ☀ Time to meet in the Race to the Sun and follow the action live. It begins this Sunday.