Special envoy to Dax
The Tour de France continues its visit to the country of ovality in the Gers and the Landes with a departure from Dax and an arrival in Nogaro. On the program, flat plains and a route cut for sprinters who will have no problem swallowing the only difficulty of the day, the Dému coast (2 km at 3.5%) located about thirty kilometers from the finish line. Just an appetizer before an appetizing finale at Nogaro, on the Paul Armagnac circuit where it is never easy to assess the trajectories. The big thighs of the peloton will put themselves in Formula 1 mode to seek a precious success because the next day, the climbers will again be well served with the return of the slopes and in particular the formidable Col du Soudet.
The actual start will be given at 1:20 p.m. and the arrival is scheduled for around 5:22 p.m. with an average speed of 45 km/h.
France 3 from 12.55 p.m. then France 2 from 3 p.m.
“It will be a new opportunity for sprinters to express themselves. Wout van Aert must have been really annoyed to have been surprised by Victor Lafayet in my opinion, he must be very pissed off. I bet on him in a four-way match with Van Groenwegen, Jasper Philipsen and Fabio Jakobsen. There will be a breakaway but it has almost no chance of going all the way. »
Dax is hosting the Tour de France for the seventh time as a stage town. The opportunity for the caravan to pay tribute to the legend of cycling André Darrigade, born in Narrosse, a few kilometers away. To see, the Sainte-Marie cathedral and the Roman archaeological crypt dating from the 2nd century. We will not fail to go to the Hot Fountain, a natural water source that comes out at 64°C! The Dax arenas are also unmissable.
Nogaro (Gers) is particularly famous for its motor sports circuit. A historic route which also has its church, Notre-Dame de Bouit (11th century) which is also called Notre-Dame des Pilotes. Nogaro saw cycling champion Luis Ocana, winner of the 1973 Tour de France, who lived in the neighboring town of Caupenne d’Armagnac.
Duck, more duck and more duck! In Dax, waterfowl can be eaten in all their forms, as duck breast, confit or, of course, foie gras. For dessert, let yourself be tempted by the Dax madeleines and a small pastis from the Landes. Duck is also honored at Nogaro where a meal should end with a glass of Armagnac.
It is said that a rider corners like a cathedral when he is very uncomfortable on the descent and when he misjudges the trajectories to take turns.
Example: “You can be sure that it will turn like a cathedral on the descent of the Col du Cucheron. You’ll be late then.”
