Paris-Chauny covers 203.6 km from Margny-lès-Compiègne to Chauny in the north of France, classified as a hilly race with a flat finish. The profile demands riders who can survive rolling, punchy terrain before regrouping for what is likely to be a reduced bunch sprint. At 1.1 level, it attracts a strong mix of northern classics specialists, puncheurs, and fast finishers targeting a late-season win.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Axel Mariault is the clear favorite. His victory in stage 3 of the Tour de l'Ain on a similar profile, combined with multiple top-5s in comparable racing, sets him apart from the field. His combination of hills ability and climbing strength means he can dictate the race on the harder sections and still be competitive at the finish.
CIC Pro Cycling
CIC Pro Cycling
Axel Mariault is the standout pick for Paris-Chauny, having won stage 3 of the Tour de l'Ain in similar-profile racing recently, with two top-3s and two top-5s alongside that win. His hills profile is among the strongest in the field outside of De Lie, and his climbing ability adds a meaningful edge on a hilly-but-sprint-finish course.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Arnaud De Lie and Arvid de Kleijn form the second tier. De Lie's top-rated hills profile in this field and his consistent top-10 record make him one of the most dangerous finishers in this race, while De Kleijn's recent win at the GP de Fourmies — a race of nearly identical character — proves he can win exactly this kind of event.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Arnaud De Lie arrives as the highest-rated rider in the field for this profile, combining powerful hills and sprint credentials that suit a hilly race ending in a flat finish. He's recorded a top-5 and three top-10s in similar-profile races lately, showing consistent presence at the sharp end.
Tudor Pro Cycling
Tudor Pro Cycling
Arvid de Kleijn claimed a win in stage 1 of the GP de Fourmies / La Voix du Nord recently — a race with a very comparable profile to Paris-Chauny — and has two top-3s and two top-5s in similar-profile outings. He's a proven finisher on this type of terrain despite his hills rating sitting lower than some rivals.
★★
Dark Horses
Pavel Bittner, Rick Pluimers, and Thomas Gachignard are credible dark horses. All three are specifically targeting this race, and all three have meaningful recent records in similar-profile races. Bittner's sprint is particularly lethal if the race comes together, while Gachignard's four top-10s recently show he is in fine late-season form.
Picnic PostNL
Picnic PostNL
Pavel Bittner is specifically listed with Paris-Chauny as an upcoming target, suggesting team intent, and his sprint punch makes him dangerous in a bunch finish after a hilly day. He has recorded a top-5 and three top-10s in similar-profile races, showing consistent form in this type of racing.
Tudor Pro Cycling
Tudor Pro Cycling
Rick Pluimers is also flagged with Paris-Chauny as a key objective and has four top-10s in similar-profile racing recently, including a top-5. His hills profile is solid and his presence here with a stated race focus makes him a credible dark horse.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Thomas Gachignard has a top-3 and four top-10s in similar-profile races recently, showing he handles hilly-with-sprint-finish courses well. He is also specifically targeting Paris-Chauny alongside Münsterland Giro and Paris-Tours, pointing to a rider in a focused end-of-season campaign.
★
Ones to Watch
Jenthe Biermans, Pierre Gautherat, Giovanni Lonardi, and Emilien Jeannière round out the selections as ones to watch. Gautherat's remarkable consistency with four top-5s in comparable races without a win suggests he may be due a result, Lonardi brings a proven winning pedigree on similar terrain, and both Biermans and Jeannière have the profile and intent to be in the mix if the finale suits a slightly wider group.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Emilien Jeannière has a top-10 in similar-profile racing recently and combines a good hills profile with a strong sprint punch, making him capable of playing a role in a bunch finish. He's specifically targeting Paris-Chauny as part of a busy autumn campaign.
Polti
Polti
Giovanni Lonardi won stage 2 of the Tour of Istanbul recently in comparable racing, adding a top-5 and five top-10s in similar-profile outings. His strong sprint could make him dangerous if a reduced bunch contests the finish in Chauny.
Cofidis
Cofidis
Jenthe Biermans has a top-3, two top-5s, and three top-10s in similar-profile races over the past 90 days, with a solid hills profile to match. He's confirmed for the race and represents a reliable team asset at Cofidis who could emerge in the final.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Pierre Gautherat has been extremely active on similar-profile courses recently, racking up two top-3s and four top-5s without a win, showing he consistently challenges at the front on these roads. At a hills rating just below the top tier, he's an intriguing outsider for a result.
Verdict
Axel Mariault enters as the top favorite on the back of a recent win in similar-profile racing and one of the best all-round profiles for this type of course, with Arnaud De Lie and Arvid de Kleijn the most dangerous rivals should the race come down to a reduced sprint finish.