Everything you need to know about the race and its side effects with the sixteenth stage of the Tour de France and the Pyrenean triptych, between Carcassonne and Foix, playground for climbers.
Special envoy to Carcassonne
Profile of the stage: Carcassonne-Foix (178.5 km)
The Tour de France is entering its home straight, and what a straight line! This will offer great inclinations to start with the crossing of the Pyrenees in three days. As an appetizer, the runners will link Carcassonne to Foix with a fairly rolling first part of the course despite two third category climbs (Côte de Saint-Hilaire after 13.7 km and the Col de l’Espinas after 36.6 km). The serious things will begin in the second part of the route with the climb of the Port de Lers (11 km at 7%) and the impressive wall of Péguère (9.3 km at 7.9%), very steep and very narrow, where the public will not be allowed. An extremely spectacular passage with a gradient of up to 18%. A three kilometer ordeal for the vast majority of the peloton which risks suffering terribly. Behind, there will be 27 kilometers left before the finish in Foix, which could be a game-changer for the teams’ strategy.
Schedules:
The actual start is set at 12:40 p.m. and the estimated arrival at 5:11 p.m. with an average speed of 39 km/h.
Diffusion TV :
France 2 from 12:00 p.m. then France 3 at 12:55 p.m. before returning to France 2 at 3:00 p.m.
The prognosis of… Pascal Lino (yellow jersey in 1992 for eleven days)
Not to be missed on the course:
The Aude prefecture is hosting the Tour de France for the twelfth time as a stage town. Do we still need to present the ramparts and the medieval city that overlooks the city? The region is full of points of interest such as the Cathar castles (Auzias, Bouilhonnac, Lastours or Saissac). If you are looking for a bit of fresh air, don’t miss a visit to the giant Gouffre de Cabrespine, its 200 m glass walkway to access a maze of 1,600,000 m3, the equivalent in volume of 10 Arcs de Triomphe. An exceptional site. At times, a must to admire the castle of the Counts of Fois, its ramparts and its three towers, a medieval marvel, like the old town district.
The specialty to get your teeth into:
The cassoulet, of course, but the scorching heat will perhaps encourage you to try your luck by discovering the black truffles of the Cathar Country or the rice from the pond of Marseillette. You will be spoiled for choice for wines: Minervois, Corbières, Cabardès or Malpère. If you have a big appetite, go with your eyes closed to the azinat, in Foix, typical hotpot of the region, or the mounjetado (cassoulet). Gourmands will stop at the confectionery to fill their pockets with Flocons d’Ariège, this hazelnut chocolate coated with meringue. The hypocras, a medieval aperitif made from wine and flavored with spices is a must.
The expression of the day: “Pick up the caps”
Inglorious expression to express dismay after a failed race where nothing worked as expected.
Ex : “I am ashamed ! We didn’t come here to pick up hats. Tomorrow, you show me something else on the climb to the Col de Porte where I’m kicking everyone out!”