The oldest criterium in France is scheduled for Tuesday August 15, at the end of the day, in Quillan. Former three-time world champion Peter Sagan is the big favourite.
Almost all of them have come to Quillan at one time or another. The greatest runners in the world have run the oldest criterium in France created in 1938. So when Peter Sagan, 33, triple world champion, 121 victories including 18 on the big tours, 7 times winner of the green jersey for best sprinter in Paris (among others…) gave his agreement to come this year, the team of volunteers and first of all his boss, Patrick Quinta, was delighted: “He’s a living legend coming to Quillan. This guy is a phenomenon in Cycling. It’s a real pleasure to welcome him to our home. Especially since it will be his only criterium in France. and that he is ending his road career at the end of the season.”
The Slovak will not only make a short appearance, he arrives in a motorhome the morning of the criterium and will eat at noon with the organizers. Rather nice!
Pros on the lookout
He will inevitably be the big favorite to win, but it will not be all cooked. Certainly Victor Koretzky, multiple mountain bike world champion, entered at the last minute by his team on the Tour of Burgos, will not be able to participate in the duel, but over the 84.375 km (75 laps of 1,125 meters) of the race, there will be competition. Starting with Ben O’Connor (AG2R la Mondiale), 28 years old. The Australian, 4th in the Tour de France 2021, and 3rd in the last Dauphiné, can do almost everything: climb, ride and sprint. With his teammate Mikaël Cherel, 37 years old and his 18 participations on the big tours (7 on the big loop), who will also end his career after the Vuelta, they can achieve a good team race capable of putting in difficulty the favorite of the race.
It will also be necessary to watch Alex Kirsch (Lidl Trek), 31 years old. The current Luxembourg champion on the road as well as on the time trial enjoys the circuits and that of Quillan, with his pif-paf of the old bridge and his numerous reminders, should particularly suit him.
On the French side, only Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ), 31, who has just signed for two more years in Marc Madiot’s band, seems to be able to slip onto the podium.
We must not forget, either, to have a look for amateur runners and in particular for the two members of the Vélo Sprint Narbonnais Elian Prieur and Erwann Boure or the Carcassonne Artus Jaladeau (Occitane cycling training). Also watch the performance of the French time trial champion, Mathias Ribeiro Da Cruz and the Occitanie road champion Baptiste Lavigne.
Practical
The distribution of bibs will take place at the Le Palace café from 3 p.m. The start of the race is set at 4:30 p.m., boulevard Jean-Bourrel and the finish is scheduled between 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. at the same place. Free entry. Around 3:30 p.m., an advertising caravan will distribute gifts along the route. It will be followed by the parade of young riders from the Aude clubs who will be accompanied by professionals. These young cyclists will then be presented on the podium twice (3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m.). The roll call of the competitors will take place immediately after.
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