Paris-Nice, nicknamed "the race to the sun", is an annual cycling stage race held in March. The first Paris-Nice was held in 1933. The first winner was Alfons Schepers from Belgium. The most successful cyclist in Paris-Nice was Sean Kelly from Ireland. He won seven consecutive times (1982-1988).

Although the name is Paris-Nice, the race doesn't always start in Paris any more. It often starts in towns near or south of Paris. The last stage finishes every year on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. The last or penultimate stage often passes the Col d'Eze , a mountain pass close to Nice.

The most recent edition (in 2005) was won by Bobby Julich from the United States. The 2004 edition was won bij Jörg Jaksche from Germany. In 2002 and 2003 Paris-Nice was won by Alexandre Vinokourov, from Kazakhstan. During the 2002 Paris-Nice Vinokourovs' friend and fellow countryman Andrei Kivilev died.

Paris-Nice is organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). ASO also organizes other cycling races like the famous Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix and other sport events like Paris-Dakar and the Paris Marathon

Winners

• 2005 Bobby Julich (USA)
• 2004 Jorg Jaksche (Germany)
• 2003 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakhstan)
• 2002 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakhstan)
• 2001 Dario Frigo (Italy)
• 2000 Andreas Klöden (Germany)
• 1999 Michael Boogerd (Netherlands)
• 1998 Frank Vandenbroucke (Belgium)

External links

• Paris-Nice Official Website