Vingegaard's unfinished business
February 25 th 2026 - 16:53
- The predictions for the 84th edition of Paris-Nice, which will take place from March 8-15, have been revised following the announcement that Jonas Vingegaard will be competing. The undisputed world number two in stage races over the last few years has never won in his first two appearances, but is showing his perseverance and determination by signing up for the start in Achères in the Yvelines department.
- The Danish favorite will face rivals who have already been in the spotlight in recent weeks, such as Juan Ayuso, Joao Almeida, Dani Martinez, Kevin Vauquelin, and Oscar Onley.
- Beyond the challenge of the yellow and white jersey, which will remain up for grabs until the final finish at the foot of the Riviera stadium in Nice, stage victories will also be coveted by sprinters such as Biniam Girmay and Michael Mathews, and even by strong classics specialists who have chosen the Course au Soleil to test their skills in the crosswinds.
Last year, on his final day in the Paris-Nice peloton, Jonas Vingegaard wore the leader's jersey. But the wrist injury he suffered on the La Côte-Saint-André stage, which he completed in pain and in 16th position, robbed him of any hope of keeping it until the final podium in Nice. The Dane then ceded the overall lead to his teammate Matteo Jorgenson and immediately withdrew from the final days of the race. The title ultimately remained with Visma-Lease a Bike thanks to the American's success, but the episode, which greatly disrupted Vingegaard's start to the 2025 season, calls for redemption. It is certainly a happier outcome than the two-time Tour de France winner (2022-23) had hoped for when he changed his comeback schedule, which was delayed following a crash in training.
The list of stage races won by Jonas Vingegaard makes him the favorite for Paris-Nice, one of the few races still missing from his list of achievements (3rd in 2023). But the line-ups assembled by the most influential teams promise fierce competition in all the decisive stages, whether it's the team time trial in Nièvre (stage 3) or the climbers' challenge leading to the resort of Auron (stage 7), among others. On the UAE Emirates XRG side, Joao Almeida will be able to count on the support of former winner Marc Soler and the already impressive Igor Arrieta (23); Red Bull - Bora Hansgrohe is fielding a duo of regulars in the Race to the Sun with Dani Martinez (3rd in 2022) and Aleksandr Vlasov (2nd in 2021, 5th in 2024); Lidl-Trek is counting on the recent winner of the Tour of Algarve, Juan Ayuso, as well as Mattias Skjelmose to make their mark on the race. And perhaps the most impressive armada is being deployed by Ineos Grenadiers, who are certainly looking to repeat the successes of Sky in the 2010s with Kevin Vauquelin, Oscar Onley, Joshua Tarling (key rider for the time trial!), and Carlos Rodriguez.
In Paris-Nice, strong winds can also play a role in stages that are typically suited for sprinters. The road to Montargis (stage 2), for example, as well as the road to Colombier-le-Vieux in Ardèche (stage 6), may select the most enterprising and/or vigilant riders among the sprinters. The main contenders for the sprints, such as Michael Matthews, Biniam Girmay, Phil Bauhaus, Jasper Stuyven, Matteo Trentin, Emilien Jeannière, Bryan Coquard and Axel Zingle, will have to rely on their power as well as their racing skills to win.