Paris-Nice, run around my birthday and heralding the spring, holds a special place in my cycling heart. Shoko and I usually make our way to Nice for the final stage or two, and other than the first time, when I was suffering from a two-day hangover, it’s often fun.

The 2016 edition will have two stages leaving from Nice, with the first finishing on top of the Madone climb, and the final stage sprinting along the Promenade des Anglais, comme d’habitude these days. But more importantly for me, a couple of days before it will climb up part of Mont Ventoux (Bedoin – Chalet Reynard), descending down the ‘easy’ route to Sault, and pretty much doing a loop of the area of Provence John and I share with clients all season long.

The race runs from the 6th to the 13th of March.