Special envoy to Foix
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The route of the Tour de France 2022
The general classification of the Tour de France
Profile of the stage: Saint-Gaudens-Peyragudes (129.7 km)
A concentration of difficulties and a day that will make the peloton suffer.
After about fifty rather quiet kilometers, the climbs will follow one another without letting the runners breathe: first the Col d'Aspin, reputed to be quite rolling (12 km at 6.5%) then the Hourquette d'Ancizan (8, 2km at 5.1%).
Nothing insurmountable but the following program is indigestible: the Val-Louron Azet pass (10.7 km at 6.8%) and especially the climb to Peyragudes, its arrival at the summit towards the altiport displaying passages at 16 % which had allowed Romain Bardet to escape in 2017 and win.
As you will have understood, there will be gaps and a great show before the long-awaited stage the next day between Lourdes and Hautacam.
Saint-Gaudens-Peyragudes (129.7 km) ASO
Schedules:
The actual start is set at 1:25 p.m. and the estimated arrival at 5:00 p.m. with an average speed of 36 km/h.
TV broadcast:
France 3 from 12.55 p.m. then France 2 at 3 p.m.
The prognosis of... Thierry Gouvenou, former rider and technical director of the Tour de France
“
Tuesday's stage, when I built it, I didn't imagine that it could have a big impact on the general classification.
Those of Wednesday and Thursday, we made sure to concentrate the passes and avoid the valleys.
Normally, they will be conducive to attacks because in the valleys, the formations will not have time to organize themselves with the teammates.
There can always be a breakaway but the stages are short.
It is an ideal ground to jeopardize the yellow jersey and attack
, ”explains the manager.
We will therefore bet on Tadej Pogacar, condemned to attack… or Jonas Vingegaard who will not hesitate to drive the point home if he feels the legs to distance his Slovenian dolphin a little more.
Not to be missed on the course:
The sub-prefecture of Haute-Garonne, birthplace of rugby players Pierre Berbizier, William Servat and football coach Elie Baup impresses with the presence of the magnificent Saint-Pierre collegiate church, an architectural splendor of Romanesque art (11th and Fifteenth century).
Fans of motor sports can visit the Museum of the old circuit of Comminges retracing the history of the 18 Grand Prix cars and 16 Grand Prix motorcycles of Comminges during the period 1925/1954.
Peyragudes is the 3rd ski resort in the Pyrenees located in the setting of the Pyrenees National Park.
A James Bond opus had been filmed there,
Tomorrow never dies
, on the altiport.
The specialty to get your teeth into:
In Saint-Gaudens, opt for a dish based on veal raised under the mother, or lamb from the Pyrenees.
Also taste the sheep's milk cheese, Napoleon Commingeois and finish with the millasson, a cake halfway between far and flan.
In Peyragudes, let yourself be tempted by a tasting of frênette, or ash cider.
Black Bigorre pork (AOC) is a local specialty that can be accompanied by a wine such as Madiran or Pécheranc.
The expression of the day: "
Have a sign behind your back
"
Refers to a rider who is among the favourites, observed and above all watched by the peloton, ready to respond to the slightest attack from him.
Ex: “
He has a sign on his back, you don't leave me with a sole in front.
»
The mythical climbs of the Tour de France
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