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PARIS, Oct 12 (CP) – With the 2007 cycling season fast coming to its conclusion, cyclingpost.com previews Sunday's Paris-Tours.

Despite what its name may suggest, the race actually kicks off from Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines which located south west of the French capital. The parcours continues predominately in a south-westerly direction before concluding on l'Avenue de Grammont in Tours, 256 kilometers later.

At first glance the course profile looks flat, but further inspection shows riders will encounter numerous short, sharp and steep climbs – especially during the second half of the race. The Côte de l'Epan, Côte du Pont Volant and Côte du Petit Pas d'Ane – all in the last 10 kilometers of the day – may prove the ideal launch pad for a surprise attack.

Paris-Tours is aptly labeled the "Sprinters' Classic" and although logic may suggest the race climaxes in a bunch sprint, it won't be the first time a breakaway has succeeded in pulling off the win.

One needs to only look back to last year's race to see that a breakaway can thrive. Twenty eight riders went away from the main group after just 10 kilometers, and aided by a tailwind were able to build a sizeable gap.

A counter-attack in the dying stages of the race saw Française des Jeux's Frédéric Guesdon hold his nerve in a two man sprint against CSC's Kurt-Asle Aversen with the remnant of the peloton hot on their heels.

But with most of the big sprinters racing, most of the teams will be willing to work together to get any breaks in check and ensure a mass bunch sprint decides who will be crowned the winner of the 101st Paris-Tours.

One rider heading into the race with good form is Belgium's Gert Steegmans. The Quickstep-Innergetic rider is arriving with plenty of confidence following his overall victory at Franco-Belge.

Australian Robbie McEwen is also finding some solid form after a minor slump following his crash and exit from the Tour de France and the pocket rocket can never be discounted

Spain's Oscar Freire was white-hot during the Vuelta and his canny ability of reading a sprint means he too will be closely marked. Of course, there are many other riders hoping for a bunch sprint, and the winner could come from any one of these.

If the main group is back together with about 10 kilometers, look out for attacks from riders of the ilk of Fabian Cancellara and Alejandro Valverde.

© Michael Holden