Cycling: the Worlds organized at the Planche des Belles Filles?

Will the Worlds rhyme with Pinot? The International Cycling Union (UCI) is looking for a new site to organize the 2020 World Road Cycling Championships after Switzerland's withdrawal. Initially, it was the Swiss city of Martigny, which was to host the World Road Championships from September 20 to 27. The circuit promised to be cut out for pure climbers. But the decision of the Swiss Federal Council to ban gatherings of more than 1,000 people forced the organizing committee to cancel the event.

The UCI, via its president, the French David Lappartient, announced that it was urgently looking for a drop-off point. It is given until September 1. Initially, the UCI had announced that it will not be in France, which had already taken over the organization of the European Championships. But the leadership's desire to find such a mountainous route limits the choice.

A very demanding course

Finally, France could well be chosen once again. The Haute-Saône department is a candidate, notably with the Planche des Belles Filles site, on the land of Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ).

The advantages of the French candidacy are numerous: a week earlier, on September 19, the Tour de France will already stop… at the Planche des Belles Filles, during the penultimate stage, a time trial probably decisive for the final victory. The infrastructures (barriers, stand, television links, technical area, etc.) will already be installed.

According to the Republican East, the course could prove to be very demanding. From Luxeuil, runners could first climb the difficult Col des Chevrères. If we stay on a standard mileage for a World Cup of more than 250 km, we would have to climb it six times before going on the Planche des Belles Filles. This would represent a final positive elevation passing the 5,400 m. Something to rejoice in Thibaut Pinot.