What Is 2013 Tour du Haut Var

Overview

The 2013 Tour du Haut Var was a prestigious early-season stage race in professional road cycling, held annually in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Known for its challenging terrain and competitive field, it served as a key preparatory event for riders targeting the spring classics.

Unlike traditional multi-week tours, this race spanned just two stages, making it a compact but intense competition. The 2013 edition attracted several top-tier teams and featured a mix of flat sections and hilly terrain designed to test climbers and all-rounders alike.

• Stage 1 began in Draguignan on February 22 and covered 192.5 kilometers, ending in Seillans with a sprint finish won by Arnaud Démare.
• Stage 2 took place on February 24, stretching 192.3 kilometers from Bagnols-en-Forêt to Fayence, featuring multiple categorized climbs.
• Rinaldo Nocentini claimed the overall victory by maintaining a consistent lead through the mountainous second stage.
• Thomas De Gendt finished second overall, just 17 seconds behind Nocentini, showcasing strong climbing form.
• Johnny Hoogerland won the mountains classification, earning points on the race’s most difficult ascents.

How It Works

The Tour du Haut Var is structured as a multi-stage road cycling race, with rankings determined by cumulative time across stages. Points and classifications are awarded for stage finishes, intermediate sprints, and mountain climbs.

• General Classification (GC): Awarded to the rider with the lowest cumulative time across all stages. Rinaldo Nocentini won the 2013 GC.
• Stage Winner: The first rider to cross the finish line in each stage. Arnaud Démare won Stage 1; Thomas De Gendt won Stage 2.
• Mountains Classification: Points are awarded at hilltops; Johnny Hoogerland earned the polka-dot jersey with consistent climbing efforts.
• Team Classification: Based on the combined times of the top three riders per team; Ag2r–La Mondiale won in 2013.
• Time Bonuses: Available at stage finishes and intermediate sprints; 10, 6, and 4 seconds awarded to top three finishers.
• Race Regulations: Governed by UCI rules; the 2013 event was rated 2.1 on the UCI Europe Tour calendar.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key aspects of the 2013 Tour du Haut Var with the previous year’s edition and a similar race, the 2013 Tour de Langkawi.

The 2013 Tour du Haut Var was shorter in both duration and distance compared to longer stage races like the Tour de Langkawi. Its focus on hilly terrain and early-season timing makes it a unique benchmark for European riders preparing for the classics season.

Why It Matters

The 2013 Tour du Haut Var played a significant role in shaping early-season form and team strategies ahead of major spring races like Paris–Nice and Milan–San Remo. Its competitive field and challenging route provided valuable data on rider fitness and tactical development.

• Early-season indicator: The race helped teams assess rider readiness for the upcoming UCI World Tour events.
• Climbing preparation: The hilly course in Stage 2 simulated conditions seen in Arctic classics and Ardennes races.
• Team cohesion: Ag2r–La Mondiale demonstrated strong teamwork, contributing to Nocentini’s overall victory.
• Young rider development: Riders like Thomas De Gendt used the race to build confidence and experience.
• Media exposure: Broadcast coverage increased visibility for sponsors and national cycling federations.
• UCI points: High placement earned valuable Europe Tour ranking points for riders and teams.

Overall, the 2013 Tour du Haut Var was more than just a regional race—it was a strategic milestone in the professional cycling calendar, influencing team selections and performance trajectories for the rest of the season.