The opening race on French territory will be a little longer than usual in 2016. The Grand Prix d'Ouverture La Marseillaise will cover 152km and not 139km as it has done in both 2014 and 2015.

The organizing newspaper  La Marseillaise, has told Directvelo that the longer distance is due to a small loop change in the finale when the riders will tackle the Côté de la Route des Crêtes. The riders will do the climb as the third climb of the day after Petit Galibier and the Col of Espigoulier. As usual, the Col de la Gineste will be the last climb before the finish in Marseille, not far from the Velodrome.

Pim Ligthart won the 2015 edition from a reduced bunch sprint.