Dimension Data's final European race of the year is upon us as Paris Tours takes place today. The UCI 1.HC French classic is a traditional season ending event and one that this year, provides an opportunity for the sprinters to finish their season on a high. 

Today will see the running of the 110th edition of the Paris Tours and while the race has suited the fast men who could climb in the past, this year the organisers made a few slight route changes that will make the race flatter and faster than previous editions. With the World Championships taking place next week on a similarly flat course, today will mark as a good final race tune up for those riders attending Worlds.

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka will be getting behind Mark Cavendish today as he returns to racing after illness. Cavendish will be supported by a strong squad over today’s 252km route with Bernie Eisel, Kristian Sbaragli, Johann van Zyl, Matt Brammeier, Youcef Reguigui, Jay Thomson and Ryan Gibbons all lining up alongside Cavendish.

Johann van Zyl said:

"It is time to pin the final race number on for the season. We have a strong team ready for todays flat and fast Paris Tours. The race is a bit different to previous years as it a bit longer and also completely flat. They took out the few short climbs there used to be near the finish. This makes it the perfect fine tuning prep ahead of Worlds next weekend so most of the fast guys are racing today. Obviously we are going all out for Mark so hopefully we can the day on the top step."