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Romaric Larue
Published on
June 24, 2024 at 6:32 a.m.
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The Tour de France, the 2024 edition of which will start on Saturday June 29 from Florence, will once again overshadow Normandy. But, with a big departure from Lille, the region is expected to appear on the route in 2025. And why not Alençon ?
Waiting for a return since 2002
In any case, the city-prefecture of Orne has filed its candidature to welcome a departure or arrival. This was already the case in 2021, 2022 and 2023. “We sent a letter, dated November 13, 2023, to the organizers to renew our candidacy,” announces Joaquim Pueyo, mayor of Alençon.
The councilor does not hide that he would be “happy” to see Alençon on the map of the next route unveiled by the organizers of the Grande Boucle. “The Tour is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. This would put the spotlight on our city. »
If the Tour passed through Alençon in 2018, the city no longer hosted a stage since 2002. More than twenty years ago. In its history, the city of the Dukes was the scene of three departures et four arrivals. Each time there are “unforgettable moments”, remembers Joaquim Pueyo, a great lover of the event, who keeps his memories intact. “In 1991, there was a huge crowd in the Ecouves forest for the time trial between Argentan and Alençon. It was Indurain who won! »
Alençon, 7 times a stopover city
In its history with the Tour, Alençon has been a stage city seven times: three departures and four arrivals. In 1984, 1991 and 1995, Alençon was both the finish and the start of a stage.
The last time the Grande Boucle stopped in the city of the Dukes was in 2002 for a straight stage between Forges-les-Eaux and Alençon. It was won by Erik Zabel, an illustrious German sprinter, six times the green jersey of the event.
Franck Hoste raised his arms in Alençon in 1984. In 1991, the time trial between Argentan and Alençon was won by the famous Miguel Indurain and, in 1995, the riders competed in a time trial. by teams, between Mayenne and Alençon. The Italian team Gewiss-Ballan won.
The assets of Alençon
In the application, the municipality highlighted its “strategic geographical location”, between Normandy and the Pays de la Loire, its “quality infrastructure”, such as Anova which “could accommodate the village of Tour”, or its numerous labels, notably that of “Tour de France cycling city”.
According to the mayor, Alençon ticks several boxes to meet the requirements of a stopover city, requiring “significant logistics”. “We need an avenue at least seven meters wide, a space of at least 5,000 m3 for the technical zone, a car park for 1,600 vehicles or even a complex. We have all that,” says Joaquim Pueyo. Accommodation, by his admission, is a “point for improvement”. “But, by 2025, we may have new hotels. »
Now the decision rests with the organizing committee. On May 21, the City received a message from Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, which indicated that he had received the application.
You will have to wait…
The route will be revealed in October every year. “They are refining it but it’s very secret. We might have some clues if they come to scout. But, if we are detained, we will not know until very shortly beforehand. »
On average, more than 250 cities declare themselves candidates to host a stage. For only around forty lucky people. In 2023, cities had to pay €130,000 to receive an arrival and €80,000 for a departure.
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