ÉTOILE DE BESSÈGES A 55th edition which continues to attract big names

This is the first stage race of the season on the UCI Europe Tour professional calendar. So obviously, she will be expected. From February 5 to 9, 2025, it will be the symbol of the strength of an entire team united around Claudine Fangille-Allègre, the daughter of the creator Roland Fangille, to organize international cycling races. After 55 years, the Étoile de Bessèges continues to live, sometimes to survive, with each year the stress of the economic question. Because organizing a race like this has a cost: €980,000. And every year, we have to find partners to finance the whole thing, in particular the prestigious World Tour teams who want to participate.

“I believe that as long as we have the will of elected officials to help us, we are motivated. My father fought for 50 years for the event to continue to exist, I think that as long as we have the support of communities, municipalities and partners, we will fight to keep it going“, declares the president of the race, Claudine Fangille-Allègre. Comments supported by the president of Alès Agglo, Christophe Rivenq: “The city invests a lot in sport, and even if it's a lot of money, there are also great economic benefits.“For his part, Ghislain Chassary, departmental councilor of Gard, indicated that the departmental sports center of Méjannes-le-Clap, of which he is president, will once again welcome two of the cycling teams.

Despite this cost, the race manages to attract good people in each edition and is starting to have quite a track record. Former cycling stars have left their mark on the Etoile by signing magnificent stage victories such as Bernard Hinault, Laurent Fignon, or even Richard Virenque, and Bryan Coquard (9 victories including the last in 2022).

A course that attracts

During these last ten editions, no less than six French people have won the race, including again big names in French cycling such as Tony Gallopin, Christophe Laporte, and Benjamin Thomas, recent Olympic omnium champion. In recent years, the stars of the international peloton have established themselves such as Neilson Powless, Mads Pedersen (2 victories in the Tour de France) or the whimsical Magnus Cort Nielsen, double stage winner in the Tour de France.

The president of the race, Claudine Fangille Allègre, who succeeded her father five years ago, explains the reasons for this attraction: “I believe that the course helps attract great teams. We have flat stages, mountain stages, and a time trial. The teams can therefore measure themselves on different courses, and prepare for the start of the season the classics which will be behind, she analyzes. We are lucky to have always had a good report from the International Cycling Union. This report emphasizes the fact that we prioritize the safety and health of the riders above all else, and with the numerous falls that have occurred in recent years, this reassures the teams.“

A Gardois always present

It is one of the attractions for roadside supporters. Like every year, Gardois Alexandre Delettre, who lives in Manduel, will be present at the race. Anyone who changed teams in the off-season, joining the French team Total Énergies, will be keen to shine on home soil with bib 124 on their back.

For this edition, 10 World Tour teams will be present among the 21 professional teams. We will therefore find Lidl-Trek with Mads Pedersen, the title holder as leader, Alpecin-Deceunink, Arkea-B&B Hotels with Arnaud Démare as leader, Soudal Quick-Step, EF Education- Easypost, Groupama FDJ including the former champion of France in the time trial Rémi Cavagna, Cofidis with Benjamin Thomas, Olympic gold medalist in Paris, or even Ineos Grenadiers with the presence of Filippo Ganna, multiple time trial world champion.

A second Olympic champion on the start?

Among all these beautiful people, one last could be added to the list. Indeed, Richard Carapaz, Olympic road champion at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, is noted on the list of replacements for his EF team. However, during a press briefing held this Friday, January 17 in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, Richard Carapaz revealed his racing program for the coming season, indicating that he would begin his season on the Etoile de Bessèges. Author of a great Tour de France last year where he won the best climber classification, the winner of the 17th stage will undoubtedly be one of the big names of this edition.