Paris-Nice starts this Sunday and teams are releasing the names of the riders who will be lining up in what many consider the first important European stage race of the year.

Paris-Nice is an eight-day stage race which starts in Montfort-l’Amaury with an eight-kilometer prologue and finishes on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. The reason for the unofficial title, “the race to the sun” is because the racers start in the colder climate of the north and finish next to the Mediterranean Sea in the south where the temperatures are typically warmer.

The Cervélo TestTeam is one team that is looking to make an impact at Paris-Nice, although they’re using it as final preparation for the team’s other targets.

“That [the fact they’re using it to prepare] doesn’t mean we are using this race for training, because Paris-Nice is too important for that. We will try to go for a stage win and see what we can do in the GC. For that we’re looking to Joaquín Novoa and probably Xavier Tondo to do something. While they will probably not be able to go for the win, they will certainly go for the best possible placement. For the flatter stages we have our sprinter, Heinrich Haussler, who won the second stage in last year’s edition,” explains Cervélo TestTeam director Philippe Mauduit.

The Cervélo TestTeam is one of many strong teams that will require a wildcard invitation to take part in the Tour de France this July.  The fact that the Amaury Sports Organization owns both Paris-Nice and the Tour make the week-long race an important opportunity to help the second year team earn their selection.

For Quick Step this race represents their first important stage race of the season. They have eight riders lined up on Sunday for the opening eight kilometer time-trial at Monfort l’Amaury.

Leading the team will be Sylvain Chavanel, who won stage 3 of last year’s Paris-Nice in a breakaway during strong crosswinds. It was this stage victory that set him up for third place on the final podium in Nice as well as winning the green jersey for the overall points competition.

Also at the start for Quick Step will be Kevin Seeldraeyers. He won the white jersey for best young rider and finished seventh overall in the 2009 edition. Completing the line up is Jerôme Pineau, Spain’s Carlos Barredo, Kevin De Weert, Nikolas Maes, Kevin Van Impe and Wouter Weylandt.

2009 Paris-Nice champion Luis León Sánchez of Caisse d’Epargne returns with teammate Alejandro Valverde. Sánchez grabbed the lead from favorite Alberto Contador when he cracked during stage 7.

Cervélo TestTeam Riders for Paris-Nice
Xavier Florencio (ESP)
Volodimir Gustov (UKR)
Heinrich Haussler (GER)
Ted King (USA)
Daniel Lloyd (GBR)
Joaquín Novoa (ESP)
Dominique Rollin (CAN)
Xavier Tondo (ESP)
Sports Director: Philippe Mauduit (FRA)

Quick Step Riders for Paris-Nice
Carlos Barredo (ESP)
Sylvain Chavanel (FRA)
Kevin De Weert (BEL)
Nikolas Maes (BEL)
Jerôme Pineau (FRA)
Kevin Seeldraeyers (BEL)
Kevin Van Impe (BEL)
Wouter Weylandt. (BEL)
Sports Directors: Wilfried Peeters and Rik Verbrugghe.

Paris-Nice Stages
07.03.10 Stage 1 Montfort-l’Amaury 8 km
08.03.10 Stage 2 Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines – Contres 201.5 km
09.03.10 Stage 3 Contres – Limoges 201 km
10.03.10 Stage 4 Saint-Junien – Aurillac 208 km
11.03.10 Stage 5 Maurs – Mende 173.5 km
12.03.10 Stage 6 Pernes-les-Fontaines – Aix-en-Provence 157 km
13.03.10 Stage 7 Peynie – Tourrettes-sur-Loup 220 km
14.03.10 Stage 8 Nice – Nice 119 km