This late Wednesday at the end of the afternoon, the reception of the volunteers will be received at the start of the 53rd edition of the Saône et Loire circuit on May 9, 2025 in Saint-Vallier was taken.
The objective is to present the departure of this new edition and to give the necessary and useful information for volunteer signalers.
Mayor Alain Philibert repeated his pride to welcome this event and that Saint-Vallier is the city departure of the 2025 edition.
He presented Gérard Debouys and Nathalie Rizet, the workers’ ankles of this cycling event. He recalls the different races that the city has welcomed: the great female loop, the tour of the future, the tour of the female future, …
The mayor indicates that he sent a letter to Christian Prudhomme to have a stage of the Tour de France female. He adds that large champions will be present on Friday, May 9, as well as the president of the departmental council, André Accary. “I launched 300 invitations”.
In the council room, the volunteers listen carefully to the explanations given by the couple of organizers.
Gérard Debouys explains his desire to break habits and codes. He therefore chose a departure from Saint-Vallier to change course. “At 73, I resume the torch after 26 years like speaker.
18 teams of 6 runners are registered, or 108 runners. It is the antechamber of the professional world ”.
Nathalie Rizet, general coordinator explains the needs and tasks to be performed by the 21 volunteers present: signalers and stewardship.
It gives the schedules, the indications to recognize the operating vehicles and which finish the bubble of the race.
The fictitious departure will be given from the town hall, then the peloton will take the direction of Saint Romain and at the km zero, the real start will be given. Direction Pouilloux, return to Saint-Vallier by the Mazilles and new passage in front of the town hall direction St Romain, Ciry le Noble and … for an arrival in Bourbon-Lancy.
The session ends with the distribution of T. Shirt in the colors of the Saône et Loire circuit and with the traditional photo of the group.
JL Pradines
