Paris-Nice is a race that has it all. Explosive mountain stages loom at the end of a string of technical, twisty classics-style races. While dubbed The Race To The Sun, there is often a rainy and cold mix of springtime weather thrown in to enhance the drama.

Classics stars such as Wout van Aert are sure to make an impact during the opening stages of Paris-Nice, but this is ultimately a race for the general classification contenders.

Read on for FloBikes top four favorites to take the yellow jersey at the 2022 Paris-Nice.

Primož Roglič

In 2021, Primož Roglič won three stages at Paris–Nice, but lost the overall victory after two dramatic crashes on the final day of racing. Although Roglič finished 15th overall, he still won the Points classification. 

Paris-Nice is Roglič’s first stage race of his more conservative 2022 season. The Slovenian’s form may not be as dominant at this year’s race, but if he stays upright, he is a safe bet for the overall victory.

Nairo Quintana 

Climbing specialist Nairo Quintana is off to a perfect start in 2022, having won the general classification of the Tour de la Provence and Tour des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var. 

Quintana’s climbing ability will be on display throughout the final four stages of Paris-Nice. The Colombian is clearly riding well in 2022, but will he be able to match the explosive power of Roglic?

Maximilian Schachmann 

2020 and 2021 Paris-Nice winner Maximilan Schachmann will be returning with Bora-Hansgrohe to defend his yellow jersey in 2022. 

The German national road race champion has an uncanny ability to remain calm under pressure, an attribute which serves him well on the twisty, technical and often wet roads of Paris-Nice. Schachmann has not yet raced in 2022, but the cool German’s track record at Paris-Nice speaks for itself. 

Interestingly, his main competition may just come from within his team. 

Aleksandr Vlasov

Aleksandr Vlasov, the runner up in last year’s Paris-Nice, finds himself on Bora-Hansgrohe  alongside defending champion Maximilian Schachmann. Vlasov is an exceptionally talented young climber who transferred from Astana to the German team in 2022.

Unlike Schachmann, Vlasov has raced a robust early-season campaign, winning the overall classification in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. Vlasov appears to be in a position to take leadership of his new team at Paris-Nice, opening the door to the possibility of a controversial Russian victory in the French stage race.