2023-07-29 09:50:43
On Saturday July 29, the Col du Tourmalet will serve as the finish for the seventh stage of the event, at the end of the 89.8 km course. A spectacular moment on the eve of the epilogue of this second edition of the Tour de France Women.
Published on: 07/29/2023 – 09:50
3 mn
From our special correspondent,
« It is a monument in every sense of the word. It is high, it is difficult, it is expected. It’s going to be a great moment of cycling. We are going to enjoy this beautiful climb and the public. The Frenchwoman Audrey Cordon-Ragot, not very comfortable when the road rises, seems all the same to the angels. However, she should strive not to arrive out of time. Faced with adversity, these champions want more.
A pass classified out of category, which culminates at an altitude of 2,115 m
With fatigue and after seven days of racing, the organisms could well suffer when attacking the slopes of the Tourmalet, 17 kilometers, classified out of category, the pass culminating at 2,115 m altitude, in the center of the Pyrenees. Previously, the women will take the temperature in the Col d’Aspin, with 12 km of ascent, at 6.5%.
The history of the Tourmalet remains attached to the men’s Grande Boucle. It was first offered to riders in 1910, when the mountain stages entered the Tour route.
For the past few years, runners have taken the biggest passes during the Tour of Italy, such as Monte Zoncolan or Mortirolo. For the first edition of the Tour de France Women last year, there were mid-mountain passes in the Vosges massif to climb, including the famous Super Planche des Belles Filles. This time, the organizer aimed higher. ” The Italians weren’t afraid to send us into “these galleys” and it’s good that the Tour de France does the same. I hope it will pass quickly and well “Blows Audrey Cordon-Ragot.
Listening to yourself to find the right rhythm
For Juliette Labous, second in the last Giro behind the Dutch Annemiek Van Vleuten, this Saturday in the Pyrenees will be essential for the general classification. ” For me, the Tourmalet is a long pass and I appreciate it. You will have to listen to yourself and find the right rhythm. It’s really great to reach the top, it will also make people talk about the Tour de France Women », rejoices the runner of the DSM team. The next day, in the streets of Pau, the best in the world will compete in a final 22.6 km time trial.
« Last year, we decided not to do a time trial. Some runners had told us that they would also like to show off their riding skills. It’s something we listened to. The Tourmalet? We wanted to be a little more part of history, of legend. And obviously, what makes the history of the Tour de France are the mythical passages and the summit of the Tourmalet is one of them. “, declared the director of the Tour de France Women Marion Rousse, during the presentation of the route.
« You will have to be ready, well placed before the climb and give everything. We will fight with our mind », Concludes Coralie Demay.
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