Special envoy to Roanne
The Alps are already on the horizon but before attacking its first slopes, the Tour de France peloton will not have time to spare with a stage tailor-made for the roller-punchers. Will we see a cut-and-paste of Tuesday’s explosive day? Possible. A breakaway is widely possible on this rugged terrain with a string of second and third category passes. First there will be the Thizy-les-Bourges coast (4.3 km at 5.6%) which will have to be followed by the Ecorbans pass (2.1 km at 6.9%). Sixty kilometers further, the muscles will pull with the ascents of the Col de la Casse Froide (5.2 km at 6.1%) then the Col de la Croix Montmain (5.5 km at 6.1%) and finally the Col de la Croix Rosier (5.3 km at 7.6%), all collected in about thirty kilometers! The ideal terrain for a few inspired adventurers who could fight for the final victory in a sprint.
The fictitious start will be given at 1:05 p.m. The actual start will be given at 1:20 p.m. and the arrival is scheduled for around 5:33 p.m. with an average speed of 40 km/h.
France 3 from 12.55 p.m. then France 2 from 3 p.m.
“The peloton may be surprised because it will be very, very hilly, a nice terrain for a breakaway and I don’t think the sprinter teams will be able to hold the race. Besides, I don’t think the sprinters will pass the bumps, there are three in less than forty kilometres. Expect to have the same type of race profile as Tuesday, but with mostly different riders. I’m betting on a fairly substantial breakaway and a group that will break up in the last kilometres. Matthew Van der Poel? Why not, but he had a cold on Wednesday. Alaphilippe? Maybe, even if he gave a lot on Tuesday. If he has the legs, he could try something. The problem with him is that we watch him like milk on fire as soon as he goes on a breakaway. But we know his desire to do well. We should see him again.”
Roanne, which is hosting the Tour de France for the second time, inspired Sylvain Chavanel in 2008 when the Frenchman won at the end of the day in Montluçon. The sub-prefecture of the Loire is home to a basketball club, the Chorale de Roanne, whose last title of champion of France dates back to 2007. To see, the 10th century castle even if now only the keep or the museum of fine arts and archeology. A walk in the city will allow you to discover the half-timbered houses.
Home to Philippe Gardent, world handball champion with the French team, Belleville-en-Beaujolais is home to the Abbey Church of the Assumption (12th century), the Hôtel-Dieu and its 18th century apothecary.
Gourmets must absolutely go to a bakery in Roanne to taste the praluline, a brioche with praline. In Belleville-en-Beaujolais, enjoy a Beaujolais salad on the terrace this summer after tasting sausage. Opt for bugnes in desserts. An essential sweetness. We no longer present the local wine richness with no less than twelve appellations.
You risk not making friends in the peloton if you have fun burning a supply station because when all the riders take their feet off the pedal to have a bite to eat, you seize the opportunity to go on a breakaway.
Example: “Even if you have ants in your legs, I forbid anyone to burn a supply today guys.”