Seixas, Skjelmose, and Jorgenson race their opening weekend in Ardèche and Drôme Classic
Many eyes in the cycling world will be on the Flemish Opening Weekend during the weekend of February 28 and March 1, but at the same time, a hilly two-day event is scheduled in southern France. In the Ardèche Classic and the Drôme Classic, the hill specialists and climbers get an 'Opening Weekend' thrown at them. On the start list? Paul Seixas, Mattias Skjelmose, Matteo Jorgenson, and many other strong riders.
The profile of the Ardèche and Drôme Classic duo has risen in recent years. More and more top riders are finding their way to southern France. Jonas Vingegaard won the Drôme Classic in 2022, Juan Ayuso has won both races once, and recognized hill riders like Marc Hirschi, Julian Alaphilippe, and Romain Grégoire are all on the honor roll of these races.
The organization of these French one-day races (both part of the UCI ProSeries) was rewarded at the end of 2025 with the hosting of the European Road Championships, where Tadej Pogačar and Demi Vollering claimed their European titles. The courses for 2026 have been slightly adjusted after those European Championships races, which should remind us of those events.
Route
The Ardèche Classic seems to have a new climb called the Mur des Royes (6.3 km at 7.1%), but in fact this is a new name for the well-known Saint Romain de Lerps. The race is 188 kilometers long, with an extra final lap over the Val d’Enfer (1.6 km at 10.3%) compared to 169 kilometers in 2025. According to the organizers, this is a nod to the same final lap of the 2025 European Championships, hence also the addition of the Mur de Costebelle (300 meters at 9.3%).
As for the Drôme Classic, the finale is identical to the 2025 race. It is the tougher race of the two, with 189 kilometers and more elevation gain than the day before. The finale is shaped by the Col du Devès (4.2 km at 4.5%), the Col de la Grande Limite (3.9 km at 6.6%), the Côte des Roberts (1.6 km at 8%), Côte de Grane (1.7 km at 5.5%) and, for one last time, the combination of the Mur d’Allex–Plateau de Soulier.
Favorites
There is no shortage of favorites and contenders in the Ardèche and Drôme. Looking at the profiles of both races, it will come down to whether the hill specialists or the climbers will prevail. Everything depends on how tough the race is made. As is often the case, attention will be on UAE Emirates XRG, including Jan Christen, Pavel Sivakov, Benoît Cosnefroy, and Pablo Torres. All riders capable of winning.
Representing Visma | Lease a Bike is Matteo Jorgenson. This year he is no longer a cobblestone specialist but leader in hill races, so the American is now being targeted here. Will he start his season with a bang? Riders like Ben Tulett and Louis Barré will support him. Lidl-Trek is bringing much of their Ardennes core to southern France, with Mattias Skjelmose as leader, but also Quinn Simmons and Andrea Bagioli as outsiders.
After last week, many eyes will be on Paul Seixas. The talent from Decathlon CMA CGM took his first pro victory in the Algarve and, according to the provisional start list, will only race the Ardèche Classic. Can he carry on his form and compete with these top riders here? Matthew Riccitello will also race on Saturday. On Sunday, the team puts forward Paul Lapeira. Bahrain Victorious sends Lenny Martinez, and at INEOS Grenadiers we see Egan Bernal.
If we look more at hilly riders, you come across Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana), Alex Aranburu (Cofidis), and home riders like Axel Laurance, Dorian Godon (both INEOS Grenadiers), and Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ United). The latter won the Ardèche last year and started this season with a top-5 in the Ruta del Sol. Scaroni and Laurance have also already won races this season.
Ben Healy is the leader of EF Education-EasyPost, while Jarno Widar plays a leading role at Lotto-Intermarché. Riders such as Marc Hirschi, Yannis Voisard (both Tudor) and Tom Gloag (Pinarello-Q36.5) should also be watched, as well as the Unibet Rose Rockets trio Venturini-Lafay-Poels.
