From May 9 to 11, 2025, the Saône-et-Loire circuit will find all its prestige for its 53ᵉ edition. It will vibrate the roads of the department taken by this emblematic event within the Elite National FFC calendar. It is a real institution of French amateur cycling.
This competition, usually starting from Creusot, promises to be exceptional in 2025 and it promises to ignite enthusiasts like neophytes.
Indeed, it offers an elite tray for a legendary circuit, for the “circuit”, as connoisseurs call it colloquially. For this 2025 edition, the best French “elite” will be at the start. No less than 17 teams, mainly from the national division 1 and a foreign team will compete on a demanding course. The level promises to be very high, with confrontations that promise to be as intense as it is spectacular.
The circuit will extend over 420 kilometers divided into three stages, a demanding route in the heart of the territory, mixing tradition and novelty. The route will highlight the geographic richness of the Saône-et-Loire with passages through the coasts of the Chalonnais, the Mâconnais, Charolais-Brionnais, Morvan and Autunois. A natural selection will take place on these rugged roads, conducive to escapes and reversal of the situation.
And to allow all this, so that this race is a secure and entertaining party at the same time, it takes a meticulous organization worthy of this major event.
Under the aegis of the Association Circuit de Saône-et-Loire Organization, chaired by Gérard Desbouys, logistics is up to the event. The kick-off will be given on Friday May 9 at 2:15 p.m. in Saint-Vallier, in front of the town hall, after an official presentation of the teams at 12:50 p.m.
The morning was devoted, to the ECLA, to the security meeting, bringing together the representatives of the FFC, the gendarmerie, the organizers as well as the mayor of Saint-Vallier, in the presence of all the bikers responsible for the security of the race. At the same time, the reception of medical teams, logistics managers and registration management held in another room. The ECLA became this morning of May 9 a real hive of carriers, gendarmes, elected officials, doctors, technicians, press representatives.
Around noon, a protocol moment brought together, on the lawn adjoining the ECLA, the elected officials of the mining basin and the municipalities crossed, the presidents of the departmental council and the urban community, the officials of the race, the sponsors as well as the Miss Saint-Vallier and Miss Saône-et-Loire. These four young Misss were very courted and everyone wanted to be taken in their side.
This gathering of elected officials, sponsors and representatives of the organization is a strong symbol of the attachment of the territory to this popular and unifying event. The presence of President Acary is a testimony, an assertion of this interest in the department for this emblematic test and its unwavering support.
Then, before the meal, the contacts and discussions were able to take place.
The 53ᵉ circuit of Saône-et-Loire promises to be a true feast of cycling, anchored in its time but faithful to its history. A competition where sports performance rubs shoulders with the commitment of an entire territory, serving a shared passion.
Gilles Desnoix
