2024-06-07 08:34:20
“It isn’t on daily basis we get our images taken by yellow coats already! » On Thursday, Might 5, Christian Prudhomme, boss of the Tour de France, confirmed a giant smile when two of the Simon brothers, the primary from the area, defiled him with their smartphone. Pascal, 67, wore the yellow jersey for seven days in 1983 earlier than a damaged shoulder blade acquired the higher of him and left the sphere open for Laurent Fignon’s first victory within the Grande Boucle. For his half, François, 55, defended the chief’s mantle for 3 days on the 2001 Tour, ending in sixth place.
Each are visitors of honor on the presentation of the ninth stage of the Tour de France, which can happen on Sunday July 7 and which may have a loop of virtually 200 km round Troyes (Aube), departure and arrival metropolis. This 199 km escapade, appropriately, will mark the tip of the primary week of the Tour. On Wednesday, within the group of the Simon brothers, the method round Christian Prudhomme ran at the beginning and end because the final white highway, in Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres, six kilometers up.
Initially from the world, runners will actually progress on fourteen sections of white roads over a complete of 32 km. These gravel roads are set to change into one of many star points of interest of the following Excursions de France. The white roads, utilized by winemakers to rapidly move from one winery to a different, might expertise the identical destiny as Planche-des-Belles-Filles, in Franche-Comté, which has change into the main target of Tourism with six routes since then. 2012. We clarify why.
La mode du gravel
The journey could also be greater than 100 years previous, nevertheless it stands as much as its instances. The gravel course of, which mixes secondary roads and gravel paths, has not escaped the eye of the planners. This Trojan stage, marked with white strains, corresponds to a long-term need. “We have been on the lookout for them for a very long time!” », enthuses Christian Prudhomme. “On Paris-Good, since 2016, we have now white roads, then there may be Vendôme in Val-de-Loire. Then we regarded for different routes round Épernay for the 2019 Tour Lastly, we selected the mountains. »
So in Aube we discover the perfect terrain to experience the gravel type, because the Tour of Italy does in 2021, taking inspiration from the Strade bianche, the Italian basic launched in 2007 across the transalpine routes white. “In 2022, ladies play a pioneering position with the arrival of the Girls’s Tour between Troyes and Bar-sur-Aube,” the previous journalist revealed. Spectacular photos of the mud because the runners move are lastly confirmed.
An asset for the present
It has been mentioned: The ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation) groups have been on the lookout for white methods for a very long time so as to add a brand new dimension to the occasion. Round Troyes, they’ll supply a really uncommon loop for a stage which isn’t a time trial or the tip of the Tour. “This stage has been a part of the historical past of the Tour,” enthuses François Baroin, Mayor of Troyes. 4 weeks earlier than the occasion, we’re already very excited. » 32 km of white roads: “This stage makes me completely happy! », dares Christian Prudhomme.
“These white roads are gold in a tree for the division. When you find yourself within the south, south-east or east of France, mountains are all over the place. You may select the terrain you need between plain, medium or excessive altitude. This isn’t true elsewhere however, on the plains, we can’t supply phases just for sprinters. White paths are as beneficial because the rocks of the North. We discuss white roads however they’re at all times preceded by mountains. There might be fatigue among the many runners, as a result of we might be within the night of the primary day of relaxation. » Or the ninth day of the race in a row.
A stage that’s feared by champions
This Trojan stage scares the likes. “We will lose the Tour there, in concern, in line with the phrase of the time, Christian Prudhomme. It’s taken very significantly. On the finish of October 2023, the day after the presentation of the course, the previous champions are on the sphere! This would be the excessive level of the primary week with pressure and a few will wish to open gaps. » All eyes are on the Slovenian Tadej Pogačar, winner of the 2020 and 2021 Excursions, sturdy within the final Tour of Italy. He gained with virtually ten minutes forward of the runner-up and an enormous six laps.
The person is comfy on the white roads as his successes within the Strade bianche 2022 and 2024 show In contrast to the Belgian Remco Evenepoel, who will uncover the Tour this 12 months? “I hope he’ll discover the bottom to his need whereas this isn’t the case on the white roads in Italy (in 2021). This stage is a vital occasion within the first a part of the Tour de France to have the ability to lead for many who usually are not stronger than Jonas Vingegaard (two outgoing winners) within the mountains,” warned Christian Prudhomme.
An extended assembly?
When he talks concerning the Tour, François Baroin finds his childhood face once more. It has been seven years, because the current success of the German Marcel Kittel on the seventh stage of the 2017 opus, that the Nice Loop didn’t cease in Troyes (extra info on letouratroyes.fr). Just like the Planche-des-Belles-Filles, in Haute-Saône, the Chemins Blancs and Troyes can change into everlasting fixtures on the Touring scene. “Why not change into, via the territory of the Côte des Bar, a part of the longer term historical past of the Tour de France,” hoped the previous minister.
Having the Tour come again each two or three years to the division will not be utopian. “It is laborious for me to think about that we have now a white highway yearly,” agreed the committee. “However, if there is a chance, it’s an occasion like Alpe-d’Huez or the cobbles, then we might be a competitor yearly. There isn’t any query concerning the stage of effort and contribution we are able to carry to the Tour to create its future historical past. » Nevertheless, Christian Prudhomme is cautious once we speak concerning the future, he mentioned: “I feel that this 12 months’s stage will make us wish to come again much more. »
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