Special envoy to Limoges
Another boost before the rest day for the Tour de France peloton physically scarred after an intense first week and the arrival of the heat for forty-eight hours. And what a pedal stroke to finish the first volume of the 2023 edition with the grandiose climb on the Puy de Dôme (13.8 km at 7.7% on average with a terrible last four kilometers at nearly 12%)! An indigestible dessert at the end of a day that risks causing differences between the favorites. Before that, the peloton will have swallowed the Côte de Felletin (2.1 km at 5.2%), that of Pontcharraud (1.8 km at 4.6%) and the Côte de Pontaumur (3.3% at 5. 3%). Nothing insurmountable but the organizations are still well underway.
This royal day will be preceded by several tributes to cycling legend Raymond Poulidor who lived in Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat before ending his days there on November 13, 2019. Chrisitan Prudhomme will notably visit the champion’s grave in 9 am this Sunday to lay a wreath. An exhibition dedicated to “Poupou” with photos, videos and jerseys (like the yellow jersey won on the Vuelta in 1964) is being held until this Sunday at the Saint-Léonard de Noblat gymnasium.
The fictitious start will be given at 1:30 p.m. The actual start will be given at 1:45 p.m. and the arrival is scheduled for around 6:18 p.m. with an average speed of 40 km/h.
France 3 from 12.55 p.m. then France 2 at 3 p.m.
“I will bet on a victory for Jonas Vingegaard. It will pass better in the raid to finish because it is a climb of pure climber. I see him making the difference again and I don’t see a breakaway going all the way either. The stage is so prestigious that it will count for the general classification and the favorite teams will not let the breakaways slip away.
A town of 4,400 inhabitants, Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat is hosting the Tour de France for the second time. Its most famous citizen is none other than Raymond Poulidor who rests in the municipal cemetery. The town of Haute-Vienne is also known for housing the sublime Saint-Léonard collegiate church (11th and 12th century), a true masterpiece of Limousin Roman art on the route of the paths leading to Santiago de Compostela.
Do we still need to present the Puy de Dôme, flagship of the Puys chain in the Massif Central which has been used 14 times by the Grande Boucle. The most famous episode remains that of 1964, with the legendary confrontation between Raymond Poulidor and Jacques Anquetil. The first ascent of the highest summit (1465 m) of the chain dates from 1892 by Fernand Ladoux. A detour to the Temple of Mercury (1st or 2nd century), vestige of one of the greatest sanctuaries of the Gallo-Roman era is essential.
Impossible to miss a piece of beef in Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, cradle of the Limousin cattle breed. Gourmands will be tempted by marzipan, a confectionery paste, or candied prunes. Discover the rousse de Saint-Léonard, a very rare variety of chestnuts.
At Puy de Dôme, Auvergne hotpot is a must, like truffade. The cheese platter must include Saint-Nectaire and Fourme d’Ambert.
Said of a runner who finds himself forced to ride on the edges of the road, even leaving the road to ride on the grassy expanses.
Example: “Be careful at the entrance to Chambéry, the road is narrow and there is a risk of eating alfalfa.”
