This year, the route gives pride of place to neighborhoods where the Tour du Pays Roannais takes full advantage of a festive atmosphere, created by the mix of cyclists and the public.
From one neighborhood to another. This 35 e Tour du Pays Roannais will leave from one district to arrive in another. Not in the same city but in the same spirit. In Roanne, Mulsant will be the starting point for the second consecutive year. “We were well received,” recalls the organizing team. The CR4C, which is organizing the event, was completely won over by the 2023 start. Bars and restaurants are playing the game by bringing out barbecues and fryers. “People are happy,” the organization simply notes.
Mulsant for a long-term lease?
“This was appreciated by a good number of people,” confirms David Goutorbe, president of the Mulsant neighborhood council. The spectacle is there in the streets with runners racing at full speed one behind the other. The repetition of the laps offers the public the opportunity to see the actors of the race many times.
With the TPR, Mulsant revives the tradition of cycling events since throughout its history the place has hosted numerous events of this type.
Between the organization and the local community, everything came together very quickly. The meeting could therefore take place permanently around Place Victor-Hugo.
At the other end of the route and two days later, it is the Plaines district, in Le Coteau, which will receive the finish. The organizers chose another district for the finale.
The Plains will be the scene of the outcome. A place where the neighborhood council displays great dynamics. “We proposed in partnership with the Pains et traditions association,” indicates Yves Dumont, president of the Les Plaines-Varennes neighborhood council.
The Plains promise to refuel
The Plains should be… full this Sunday. There will be the entire event (runners, volunteers, caravan, etc.) but also numerous activities with local associations, local producers, activities for children (wooden games, etc.). This week, the neighborhood prepared for the event with a meeting of the flaggers at the old school. “We have the volunteers, the flaggers, there is no problem,” says Yves Dumont. The nerve center of the race will be around this old Plains school which has recently housed several Costellois associations, after having hosted the unscheduled care center. The departure and arrival are located at the same place: chemin des Plaines near this establishment. “In fact it’s a little Dauphiné,” sums up Yves Dumont.
Like Mulsant, the Plaines district has hosted cycling events in the past. In 2024, thanks to the TPR, the two districts will revive their respective cycling history.
