A sharp, tactical one-day race in the hills above the French Riviera, where positioning and timing matter more than pure power.
Mercan'Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes is a men's one-day race held in early June in southeastern France. The route runs through the Alpes-Maritimes department, where the foothills of the Alps meet the Mediterranean hinterland, offering rolling terrain and short climbs that reward tactical versatility over pure climbing power.
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This is a race shaped by the terrain of the French Riviera's hinterland: short climbs, narrow roads, and the kind of rolling profile that rewards tactical sharpness over sustained climbing. It sits in the calendar window between the Giro and the Tour, often drawing a mix of stage-race riders looking for form and opportunistic one-day specialists. The finale typically unfolds quickly, and the race rarely follows the script.
The course moves through the hills north of Nice and the coastal plain, with repeated short climbs and descents that fragment the field without offering a single decisive summit. Positioning into the final circuits or climbs becomes critical, and the race often comes down to a small group sprint or a late attack that holds by seconds. The terrain does not suit pure sprinters or pure climbers, which opens the door for versatile riders who can read the race and place themselves well in the closing kilometers. Weather in early June can range from Mediterranean heat to sudden rain, and wind off the coast occasionally plays a role in how the peloton splits.
One-day race in the Alpes-Maritimes, through the hills behind the French Riviera. Climbing-oriented.
A climber who can handle the repeated ascents in the Alpes-Maritimes foothills.
Most recent winner: Antonio Tiberi
Won the inaugural edition in 2022, lending Grand Tour credibility to a new climbing race.
Won in 2024 at 19 years old, showing the race can launch careers.
The hills behind the French Riviera.
The alpine foothills behind Nice provide rolling, punchy terrain.
The race runs through the hills north of the Mediterranean coast.
