2026 Paris-Nice Stage 4 Live Coverage
Welcome to our live coverage of Stage 4 of the 2026 Paris-Nice! Our live profile and commentary are below, followed by a preview of the technical aspects of the route.
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On the fourth day, Paris–Nice serves up a hilly race of 195 kilometres with over 2,500 metres of climbing, almost all of it in the final 70 kilometres. An exciting finale awaits, featuring a constantly undulating run-in, with the road ramping up to 12.8% after the flamme rouge.
The riders usually head south in the Race to the Sun, but this year’s 4th stage is the exception that proves the rule. The route cuts eastwards across Burgundy. Initially, the riders encounter no real obstacles; the first challenge only comes after 127 kilometres. It’s the Côte de la Croix des Cerisiers, a 6.2-kilometre climb at 4.3%. Shortly after cresting the top, the road briefly rises before a long descent takes the riders down to Autun, at the foot of the Côte de la Croix de la Libération. This climb stretches 4.6 kilometres at 5.3%.
From the Côte de la Croix de la Libération, 23 kilometres remain to the finish, and this section is perfectly suited to inspire flat-out racing. First, the riders descend to Mevres, and after a few kilometres on the flat, the final climb begins in Étang-sur-Arroux. The finale section totals 8 kilometres at 4.5%, yet the average gradient doesn’t do justice (at all) to the nature of the finale. It’s a rollercoaster ride, with the road rising and falling repeatedly.
The first 3 kilometres ramp up at just under 6%, followed by a short descent and a 1-kilometre section at 7%. Another brief downhill precedes a further kilometre at 7%, leading onto a gently descending false flat that ends 2 kilometres from the line. That final stretch averages just under 10%, but even that is misleading — the opening kilometre hits 6.5%, while the very last kilometre ramps up to 12.8%!
The first three riders across the line gain 10, 6 and 4 bonus seconds, while the intermediate sprint offers 6, 4 and 2 seconds.
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