Apart from the three Grand Tours, the "Race to the Sun" has to be one of the highest-profile stage races on the cycling calendar. This eight-day, 1,288km spring trek sees the riders head south from the capital, down the centre of France, before turning east and across the Massif Central all the way into its traditional destination on the Mediterranean coast.

Here we take a closer look at that route, and also get the thoughts of senior sports director Scott Sunderland as he prepares for Team Sky's charge down L'Hexagone.

Sunday 7 March: Prologue: Montfort-l'Amaury to Montfort-l'Amaury - 8 km

The race gets underway just to the west of Paris with a short prologue to see who will earn the right to don the leader's yellow jersey at the start of the contest proper. The circular route, which heads out to the west of Montfort-l'Amaury, includes something for every rider. Cobbles are the first feature on this testing 8km course, and once those are out of the way the pros must then take on the category 3-rated Côte de Boursouffle (a 0.6km ascent with an average gradient of 6% after 1.5km). The road continues to undulate all the way into a long, straight finish back in the town centre.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1450-1630 with highlights at 2245-0020. Viewers can also watch all stages online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

Monday 8 March: Stage One: Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines to Contres - 201.5 km

It's flat all the way south of Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines so expect to see plenty of breakaway attempts ahead of the first sprint section at Gaubert (66km). The route passes briefly into the Loiret department before making its way into Loir-et-Cher, and there will be little to trouble the peloton before the second sprint at Herbault (145km). Once those points have been decided the stage continues unabated all the way into its destination town of Contres. A bunch sprint looks odds on here at the end of what should be a relatively gentle day's riding.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1415-1615 with highlights at 2315-0015.

Tuesday 9 March: Stage Two: Contres to Limoges - 201 km

The riders continue from where they left off and head further south for the first of three category 3 climbs up the Côte de Saint-Aignan (2.0km at 3% after 15km). Once they make it over the top of that it's relatively flat all the way towards the sprint section at Le Blanc (92.5km). When the route winds its way into the Vienne department for the very first time the road rises up steadily before making it in to L'Haute-Vienne for another sprint at Le Dorat (143.5km). After that, the second climb follows in quick succession up the Côte de Maison Neuve (1.1km at 6.1% after 156km) and one final sprint comes at Roussac (164km). In a sneaky twist, the organisers have also included another climb late in the day on the Côte de Nieul (2.8km at 3.9% after 190km) before what should be another bunch sprint along the Boulevard Beaublanc in Limoges.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1415-1615 with highlights at 1855-2000 & 2330-0030.

Wednesday 10 March: Stage Three: Saint-Junien to Aurillac - 208 km

The peloton will roll out of Saint-Junien and the action should quickly hot up as they scale the Côte des Cars (2.4km at 5.9% after 31.5km). Another climb is to follow up the Côtede la Croix de Teulet (3.5km at 3.9% after 50.5km) before the first of two sprints at Coussac Bonneval (64.5km). There is no let-up on the undulating terrain as the third successive category 3 ascent up the Côte de la Grande Renaudie (1.7km at 4.6% after 70km) follows as they cross into the Corrèze department. After dropping into Chameyrat (119km) the road ramps up sharply again on the Côte de Sainte Fortunade (5.3km at 4.5% after 128km). The second of three quickfire category 2 climbs up the Côte de Sexcles (4.8km at 6.4% after 165km) will surely have the riders puffing and panting, and there are more sprint points up for grabs as they enter Montvert (179km). If that wasn't enough, this taxing stage then culminates just 3km after the steepest climb of the day on the Côte de la Martinie (1.1km at 7.2 %).

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1415-1615 with highlights at 2300-0000.

Thursday 11 March: Stage Four: Maurs to Mende - 173.5 km

It's due east out of Maurs for the start of another hilly day and the first real test will come 40km down the road on the Côte de Montsalvy (category 2 - 4.2km at 6%). After descending into Aveyron it's relatively plain-sailing over the next 40km as the riders pass through the Gorges du Lot, before a lengthy ascent up the Côte de Lassouts (category 3 - 7.5km at 3.6% after 94.5km). The first sprint points of the day are on offer at Sant Geniez d'Olt (106km) and that burst is immediately followed by the Côte de la Crouzette (category 3 - 3.9km at 3.6% after 113.5km). Any breakaways that have formed are likely to be hunted down on the next relatively flat section before what should be a hugely-testing finale. If the Côte de Chabrits (category 2 - 2.4km at 6.8% after 166km) wasn't enough to break the spirits, the climb up the La Croix-Neuve/Montée Laurent Jalabert (category 1 - 3.0km at 10.7% after 170.5km) to the destination town of Mende will definitely separate the men from the boys. Alberto Contador used this same ascent as his springboard to victory in 2007. As an added incentive this time around, sprint points are also on offer once they make it over the top.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1345-1530 with highlights at 2110-2210.

Friday 12 March: Stage Five: Pernes-les-Fontaines to Aix-en-Provence - 157 km

Following an overnight transfer, the race will recommence in Pernes les Fontaines. The route heads north east out of the town before cutting back down at St Pieree de Vassols. Just after Malemort the road ramps up for the largest climb of the day on the Col de Murs (category 2 - 10.5km at 4.3% after 40km) and continues south for two smaller category 3 ascents on the Côte de Lacoste (2.6km at 3.8% after 75.5km) and Côte de Bonnieux (2.6km at 4.2% after 84.5km). With those done and dusted the sprinters will be looking to come to the fore to contest the points which are up for grabs at Lourmarin (94.5km) and Rognes (110.5km). One further category 3 climb has been included on the Côte de Saint Canadet (4.8km at 3.9% after 127km) but there are no further distractions as the peloton tears into Aix en Provence toward the finish line on the Avenue Saint-John Perse.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1500-1615 with highlights at 2300-000.

Saturday 13 March: Stage Six: Peynier to Tourrettes-sur-Loup - 220 km

The longest stage of the race starts in Peynier and the route sweeps east through Sillons before two category 3 climbs come in the space of 5km up the Côte de Val Rose (1.9km at 4.3% after 33.5km) and Côte de Barjols (1.7km at 4.2% after 38km). After the sprint at Flayosc (74km) the sequence of climbs which are synonymous with the final stages of Paris-Nice commence, with the punchy Côte des Tullières (category 2 - 2.2km at 8.2% after 79.5km) coming just outside Draguignan. The shorter ascents of the Côte du Mont Mèaulx (category 3 - 1.7km at 5.1% after 101km) and Côte de Tignet (category 3 - 2.8km at 5.1% after 131.5km) are interspersed by a sprint at Fayence (114.5km), with the Côte de Plascassier (category 3 - 3.7km at 2.1% after 147km) following those in quick succession. After the riders make it over the Côte de Châteauneuf (category 2 - 1.3km at 9.5% after 156.5km) they pass over the finishing line at Tourrettes sur Loup, but the stage is far from over as they still have to tackle the beastly ascent up the Col de Vence (category 1 - 9.7km at 6.6% after 187.5km). Once that has been conquered it's downhill all the way back into Tourrettes sur Loup for the day's climax.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1315-1545.

Sunday 14 March: Stage Seven: Nice to Nice - 119 km

Starter's orders for this relatively short yet testing final stage will be given on the Promenade des Anglais in the heart of Nice and after an early sprint north of the city at Plan du Var (18.5km) the highest climb of the entire race is looming large. The Col de la Porte ramps up to a lofty 1,068m over 7.2km, with a punishing average gradient of 7.2%. Once the weary riders make it over the top of that it's downhill practically all the way into La Trinitè (80km). They will have to recover as quickly as possible though as two further category 1 monsters stand in their way of the finish line. The first is La Turbie (7.6km at 4.8% after 88.5km) before the shorter, but sharper Col d'Eze (4.2km at 6.8% after 103km). The remaining sprint points will be snapped up at Eze (105km) prior to one final muscle-bulging burst back along the Promenade des Anglais.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1245-1400 with highlights at 1600-1645.

Sunderland raring to go

Although Scott Sunderland feels the course is slightly less demanding than in 2009, he is looking forward to what should be eight thrilling days of competition.

"We've been talking with the organisers about the parcours and they've made it a little bit easier compared to last year, which I think is a good move," he said.

"It's still going to be very exciting though and the way it's been framed will suit the programmes of the riders we are looking to send there, the likes of Simon Gerrans, Serge Pauwels, Greg Henderson and Geraint Thomas - who will be looking at the prologue with interest."