The French calendar for the beginning of the season has been revitalized in 2016. The latest indication of this is the creation of the Mediterranée Trophy, an award introduced by the organizers of the Etoile de Bessèges and the new La Méditerranéenne to reward the best-placed rider in both races.

La Méditerranéenne joins the UCI calendar for 2016 after the Tour of the Mediterranean race finally folded in 2015 and will be held between the 11th and 14th of February, starting in Girona (Catalunya) and ending in Seborga (Italy).

Thus, the French calendar includes four stage races in February, Etoile de Bessèges (February 3-7), La Méditerranéenne (February 11-14), Tour du Haut-Var (February 20-21) and the Tour Provence (February 23 -25) before the one-day races Classic Sud Ardeche and Drome Classic at the of the month on February 27 and 28, respectively.

Organized by Olympique Club Azur, the La Méditerranéen project has been accepted by the French Cycling League and offically been given UCI category 2.1. Furthermore, the race has also announced the 16 invited teams:

World Tour
1.    AG2R LA MONDIALE
2.    FDJ
3.    TRECK FACTORY RACING (USA)
4.    TEAM GIANT ALPECIN (GER)
5.    TEAM SKY (GBR)
6.    LOTTO SOUDAL (BEL)
7.    MOVISTAR TEAM (ESP)

ProContinental

8.    COFIDIS Le Crédit par Téléphone
9.    DELKO  MARSEILLE PROVENCE KTM
10.    DIRECT ENERGIE
11.    FORTUNEO VITAL CONCEPT
12.    ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI  (ITA)
13.    ROTH - SKODA (SUI)

Continental

14.    AUBER 93
15.    ROUBAIX LILLE METROPOLE
16.    ARMEE DE TERRE