Tour du Haut Var race guide

We take a closer look at the 46th edition of this two-day stage race in the south of France.

Preview of the 46th edition

The racing is coming thick and fast right now, and as well as Team Sky having squads at the Tour of Oman and Ruta del Sol this weekend, we will also be making the trip to France to compete at the Tour du Haut Var. This two-day race is a staple of the early-season calendar in Europe, and is celebrating its 46th anniversary this year with a strong and diverse field. Team Sky are one of seven WorldTour teams in action and have riders ready for any eventuality. Ian Boswell, Nathan Earle, Josh Edmondson, Salvatore Puccio and Sebastian Henao make up a youthful backbone to the team, while Gabriel Rasch and Christian Knees are both on hand to provide a wealth of racing experience. Chris Sutton rounds off the eight-man squad and will be looking to make his mark as he continues his comeback from a fractured wrist.

Team Sky history

Team Sky have only ridden the Tour du Haut Var once before and that came during our first season in 2010. Back then Chris Froome was finding his early-season form and secured his first of many top-10 finishes in Team Sky colours.

Stages

Stage 1: Saturday 22 February – Le Cannet de Maures to La Croix Valmer – 149.1km Although this stage is being billed as one for the sprinters, the presence of three categorised climbs in the last 90km could throw a few spanners into the works before the projected last-gasp dash in La Croix Valmer. The second-category Cote de Grimaud is the toughest of the trio, and could catch a few riders aware if the pace is kept high heading over its summit. The Col de Gassin must also be crested before the finish, but the fact that it comes 39km from the finish means most of the sprinters should regain contact before the final showdown along the seafront. Stage 2: Sunday 23 February – Draguignan to Draguignan – 203.4km Day two sees the riders head into the mountains and the first-category Col de Bourigaille should see an early breakaway forge clear as they traverse a constantly-undulating parcours. It is the equally-testing Cote des Tuilières that will see the overall contenders emerge however, and any attacks on there could prove decisive as the summit of that comes just 20km from the finish. The breakneck descent back into Dragiugnan should make for a thrilling spectacle before the winner is crowned on the Boulevard Clemenceau.