The Deceuninck-QuickStep team has added Julien Alaphilippe, Sam Bennett, Caspar Asgreen, and Bob Jungels to its Paris to Nice lineup. Team manager Patrick Lefebvre said that despite the spread of the coronavirus, he believes in the belief of local authorities and race organizers that racing throughout France is safe.

Movistar, CCC, UAE Team Emirates, Team Ineos, Astana, Mitchelton-Scott, and Jumbo Visma have decided not to race Paris-Nice and will not gather near Paris for the opening stage of Sunday's road race, but Detuning Quick Step confirmed that they are ready to race. The riders and staff arrived in France on Friday afternoon.

"We understand why other teams chose not to race, but we decided to follow the guidelines set by the local authorities and the race organizers.

." The health of the athletes and staff is of course a top priority and we will take all necessary precautions to protect them while respecting their commitment to this important race."

Alaphilippe has won the Paris-Nice points prize and the best young rider jersey, but has struggled to rediscover his brilliant 2019 form so far this season. He quit the Vuelta a San Juan and competed in the Colombia 2.1 race, but was off the pace in last weekend's Von Ardèche Classic and the Royal Bernard Drome Classic in southern France.

Like the other teams, Detunink-Quick Step selected several riders who were scheduled to compete in Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico to create a super team for Paris-Nice. Only Remco Evenpole is left out of this big lineup. He is currently training in Calpe and his next race is expected to be the Volta a Catalunya in Spain.

Alaphilippe has set his sights on Paris-Nice in 2020 and will no doubt shine in the 15km time trial in his home town of Saint-Main-Montron in central France on stage 4.

Deceuninck-QuickStep also has sprinter Sam Bennett, Coone-Brussel-Coone winner Kasper Asgreen, Bob Jungels, and Zdenek Stybar. Bennett can rely on the lead-out skills of Michal Morkov, Tim Declercq, and Yves Lampert.

"Paris-Nice is one of the most prestigious stage races on the calendar and we are hoping to do well and add to the 15 stages we have won in previous editions.

"We have two leaders, Julien and Sam, who will both find a stage that suits them. They will also be supported by a strong team made up of riders who have been in good form lately and who can control the race and at the same time seize opportunities when they arise.

"My main goal is to win a stage, but depending on the day-to-day conditions, I can also aim for the overall. Not only the terrain, but also the weather is important, and there is a big chance of echelon in the first three stages.