Please note: Aussie Simon Clarke was on the earlier this week but it was incorrect information.
The four stage race is an opulent mix of stunning late winter landscapes and sprinters, puncheurs and climbers stretching their legs.
The Tour de la Provence marks Aussie Chris Harper's European debut for Jumbo-Visma, Nairo Quintana's first race for Arkea-Samsic and Thibaut Pinot's return to racing since his emotional exit from the Tour de France in July 2019.
But Nairo Quintana heads to the start line riding an emotional roller coaster of his own for the past 24-36 hours after beloved dog Rocky went missing back in Colombia.
Quintana posted this tweet asking "Friends please help to find my puppy, his name is Rocky, he is a black schnauzer...lost in Tunja, Santa Helena sector," which received 4,800 retweets and his video viewed over 162,000 times.
But there was a happy ending, Quintana posting many hours later "Thank you all for helping me in the search for Rocky, it has already appeared. My family and I are super happy."
Thibaut Pinot brings Rudy Molard and key 2019 Tour de France lieutenant David Gaudu, Groupama FDJ stating they do not expect too much of their leader after a seven month absence from competition.
"I haven't had a bib pin since last July," Pinot said. "and I can't wait not only to feel this adrenaline that we only find in racing but also to find the public who supported me so much in recent months."
Jumbo-Visma said Sepp Kuss, Robert Gesink and Australian Chris Harper will be given free reign to pursue the general classification.
"After the second stage," Jumbo-Visma sport director Jan Boven said. "We will see whether the general classification is a realistic goal for one of our riders."
Rounding out the general classification favourites are defending champion Gorka Izagirre (Astana), Sunweb's Wilco Keldermann and Ineos' Pavel Sivakov.
Ineos also bring strong classics riders Gianni Moscon and Ian Stannard who will be tempted to stretch their legs alongside the likes of Magnus Cort, Sep Van Marcke (both EF Pro Cycling) and 2020 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race winner Dries Devenyns (Deceuninck-QuickStep).
Another rider coming off a successful Australian summer, Tour Down Under stage winner Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) should feature on Stage 1 along with Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic). The Tour de la Provence also marks the first time Nairo Quintana lines up with new team mates Bouhanni and Warren Barguil.
The field includes star name Alaphilippe. No not Julian but his younger brother Bryan who races for St Michel-Auber93.
Stage 1 - Châteaurenard to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (149.5k) - completed
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Stage 2 - Aubagne to La Ciotat (174.9k) - completed
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Stage 3 - Istres to Mont Ventoux/Chalet Reynard (140.2k) - completed
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Stage 4 - Avignon › Aix-en-Provence (170.5k)
LIVE streaming via Cycling Central website / SBS On Demand 11:30pm - 2:05am
Tour de la Provence STage 4 Source: Tour de la Provence
