Today we race the fourth stage of Paris-Nice: Bourges-Uchon, 195 km with over 2,500 meters of elevation gain, almost all in the final 70 kilometers. A very intense finish with an average gradient of 12.8% in the last kilometer and peaks of 13.7%.

The route crosses Burgundy heading east without presenting difficulties for the first 120 kilometers, then at km 127 the Côte de la Croix des Cerisiers begins, a 6.2 km climb at 4.3%. A long descent, passing through Autun, and climbing again: Côte de la Croix de la Libération, 4.6 km at 5.3%. From here there are 23 kilometers left to the finish and the route is perfect for attacks and ambushes.

It descends to Mevres and, after a few flat kilometers, the final climb to Étang-sur-Arroux begins: 8 km at 4.5%, but the average gradient doesn't do justice to the finale. It's a roller coaster ride, with the road rising and falling repeatedly. The first 3 kilometers climb at 6%, followed by a brief descent and a 1 km stretch at 7%. Another brief descent precedes another kilometer at 7%, then descent again until 2 kilometers from the finish. From here it's all uphill, with an average gradient just under 10%: the first kilometer reaches 6.5%, while the last one rises to an average of 12.8%. As always, time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds for the first three at the finish; at the intermediate sprint, the bonuses are 6, 4 and 2 seconds.