Many top names in the peleton have signed up for this traiditional Milan-San Remo warm up with several making it an early season target such as Frank Vandenbrouke, Chris Boardman and winner of the past three editions Laurent Jalabert. Jalabert is once again favourite to win this eight day stage race but it will be interesting to see how he and his team fares without Alex Zulle whose Festins tem are expected to provide the main opposition.
Other notable entries include top sprinters: Mario Cipollini and Tom Steels, and one-day and stage race stars: Johan Museeuw, Luc Leblanc, Andrei Tchmil, Bjarne Riis and in his first real test since his return from cancer Lance Armstrong.
The format of the race has changed slightly with the removal of the final stage split stage and thus the vital time-trial. Instead the peleton will contest 10 laps of a 9km finishing circuit around the streets of Nice.
The first three stages should be made for the sprinters before the summit finish at the Col de la Republique on stage five which is likely to play a large contribution in the overall standings.
| Date | Stage | Start Town | Finish Town | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th March | One | Suresnes | Paris | 10.2km tt |
| 9th March | Two | Montereau | Sens | 170km |
| 10th March | Three | Sens | Nevers | 196km |
| 11th March | Four | Nevers | Vichy | 195km |
| 12th March | Five | Cusset | Col de la Republique | 152km |
| 13th March | Six | Montelimar | Sisteron | 189km |
| 14th March | Seven | Sisteron | Cannes | 223km |
| 15th March | Eight | Nice | Nice | 161km |