Schachmann’s two triumphs came in different fashion having led the 2020 race from start to finish, while last year saw him triumph on the final stage after Slovenia’s Primož Roglič crashed when leading.

Roglič will be among the leading challengers heading into the eight-stage race, which is celebrating its 80th edition.

The three-time Vuelta a España winner will lead the Jumbo-Visma squad in France.

Britain’s Adam Yates is another general classification contender, following his second-placed finish at the UAE Tour.

Yates will be competing at Paris-Nice for the first time, where he will spearhead Ineos Grenadiers’ challenge.

While Schachmann will hope for repeat success, organisers will be looking for the race to avoid any further challenges after the COVID-19 pandemic forced alterations to the last two events.

The 2020 race saw the final stage cancelled as the pandemic worsened, while the last two stages in 2021 were adapted after Nice was placed into a lockdown.

Racing will begin tomorrow with a 159.8-kilometre flat stage, starting and ending in Mantes-la-Ville.

Ireland’s Sam Bennett will expect to be among those challenging for a stage win, with the sprinter looking to add to his two wins at last year’s race.

Two flat routes will be followed by a hilly third stage, before an individual time trial from Domérat to Montluçon on stage four.

A further two hilly profiles will test the peloton on stage five and six, before the penultimate day provides the challenge of a 155.4km mountain stage.

The race will conclude on March 14, with a 115km hilly stage starting and ending in Nice.