Stage 8 of Paris–Nice brought the 2026 edition of the “Race to the Sun” to its traditional conclusion on the twisting roads around Nice. The 129.2-kilometre circuit, beginning and ending in Nice, featured the classic series of Côte d’Azur climbs and technical descents that have historically created explosive finales and last-minute drama. With overall victory already heavily favouring Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike), attention centred on the fight for the stage and the remaining podium places, and the race delivered a thrilling finale as Lenny Martinez (Groupama–FDJ) surged to victory after an aggressive day of racing.
The stage began under clear Mediterranean skies as the peloton rolled out from Nice for the final test of the week. Although the general classification looked largely settled after a turbulent week of crashes, weather disruptions, and selective climbing stages, several teams were eager to animate the race. Early attacks came almost immediately as riders from smaller teams attempted to infiltrate the day’s breakaway. The terrain, packed with short climbs and narrow roads, made controlling the race difficult, and the peloton allowed a modest group to slip clear after the opening kilometres.
The early escapees quickly established a workable advantage, but the peloton never allowed them much freedom. Teams with riders targeting the stage win — including Groupama–FDJ, Visma–Lease a Bike, and Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe — maintained a controlled tempo behind. The stage profile, featuring climbs such as the Col de la Porte and the Côte de Peille, ensured that the breakaway’s advantage would likely diminish once the race reached the decisive middle section.
As the race approached the central climbs of the day, the peloton began to fracture. The relentless tempo set by the GC teams gradually thinned the field, with domestiques shedding away as the gradient increased. On the slopes, several attacks from opportunistic climbers tried to bridge across to the breakaway, forcing the pace even higher in the bunch. The early leaders were gradually reeled in as the favourites began positioning themselves for the decisive phase.
The race truly ignited on the penultimate climb. The group of overall contenders surged to the front, and the peloton splintered under the acceleration. Among the strongest were Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike) and Lenny Martinez (Groupama–FDJ), both clearly determined to animate the finale. A small selection formed near the summit, and by the time the riders crested the climb and plunged into the technical descent toward Nice, only a handful of contenders remained in contention for the stage.
Despite holding a comfortable lead in the overall standings, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike) showed no hesitation in attacking the final stage. The Dane followed every move and eventually formed a decisive move with Lenny Martinez (Groupama–FDJ). The two riders worked together to build a gap over the chasing group behind, cooperating through the descent and the valley roads as the kilometres ticked down.
Behind them, the chase struggled to organise. Several riders had teammates in the leading duo or were more concerned with defending their positions on the general classification rather than committing to a full-scale pursuit. As a result, the advantage for the two leaders stabilised, setting up a head-to-head battle for the stage victory in Nice.
In the final kilometres, the tactical tension between the two leaders became evident. Lenny Martinez (Groupama–FDJ) took several turns at the front, ensuring the pair stayed clear of the chasers but risking giving Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike) the advantage in the sprint. The Dane, meanwhile, rode conservatively, aware that the overall victory was secure and unwilling to take unnecessary risks on the technical approach to the finish.
The final kilometre unfolded along the Promenade des Anglais with both riders sizing each other up. Lenny Martinez (Groupama–FDJ) launched the sprint first, accelerating strongly in the final metres. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike) responded immediately, coming alongside in a tight sprint for the line. In the end, Martinez’s explosive acceleration proved decisive, and the French climber held on to take the stage victory in a dramatic two-up finish.
Behind them, the remnants of the GC group arrived shortly afterwards, concluding a stage that had once again showcased the unpredictable nature of the Nice finale.
While the stage honours went to Lenny Martinez (Groupama–FDJ), the overall victory belonged to Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike), who had dominated the race throughout the week with powerful climbing performances and consistent riding in difficult conditions. His aggressive racing earlier in the week had effectively secured the yellow jersey before the final day, allowing him to race the finale aggressively without risking his overall lead.
Stage 8 thus provided a fitting conclusion to a demanding edition of Paris–Nice: a spectacular duel on the Mediterranean roads, a home victory for Lenny Martinez (Groupama–FDJ), and a commanding overall triumph for Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike) after a week defined by attacking racing, challenging weather, and relentless climbing.
Results
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
