Cycling: what you need to know about the 55th edition of the Étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard

The stages of the 55th edition of the Etoile de Bessèges were revealed during the Tour de France in Nîmes last July. It is also in the Gard capital a few meters where the finish was judged, in the departmental archives more precisely that six days after the presentation of the Grande Boucle, the Tour du Gard was presented in detail.
“We didn't think about reaching a 55th edition. Dad (Roland Fangille) said it was good if we reached the 20th and then finally, we celebrated the 50th. So a big thank you to all the partners for following us”recalled Claudine Fangille, the organizer in the introduction to the press conference. “We wanted to highlight the “small teams” on the poster for the event because we must remember that this has long been the essence of the event even if we are happy to welcome the World Tour teams. “

Departures from Domessargues and Marguerittes

They will not be disoriented by the route with, like every year, unchanging stages, the first in Bellegarde and its Côte de la Tour (February 5) but which could not be held last year due to demonstrations of farmers. The third in Bessèges with its Cols des Brousses and Trélis but also Méjannes-le-Clap (February 7) and the last in a time trial in Alès (February 9) on the slopes of the Ermitage.

What does not change either is the arrival at Mont Bouquet (February 8) every two years and this 55th edition will experience another passage on the windy slope of Uzège. Before that, the hills of Clarensac, Saint-Siffret and the ends at Lussan will have been climbed.

The novelty will come from his departure since it is Vauvert who will have the honor of welcoming the start of this fourth stage. As Domessargues will receive that of the second with the hills of Montagnac and Cabrières to cross before the end in Marguerittes where the runners left last year.

Like every year, the Étoile de Bessèges will be a mixture of tradition and the new, which has made it successful for 55 years. With a new winner other than the Dane Mads Pedersen? “We then heard about him all season and we would have signed to have a winner like him”was satisfied Claudine Fangille who hopes for such a fine successor.

See you on February 9 to find out the next winner.