Created in 1933, Paris-Nice is traditionally the major cycling stage event of the season. It forms part of the spring classics, in particular alongside Milan-San Remo. Paris-Nice features a prestige roll of honour. Rene Vietto, Roger Lapebie, Maurice Archambaud, Louison and Jean Bobet, Jacques Anquetil, Tom Simpson, Eddy Merckx, Raymond Poulidor, Joop Zoetemelk, Freddy Maertens, Gilbert Duclos Lassale, irishmen Stephen Roche and Sean Kelly, as well as frenchman Laurent Jalabert and belgian Frank Vandenbroucke are past winners of this «race to the sun». Paris-Nice is undisputedly one of the flagships of world cycling.