There a sign to be removed to facilitate access to the catering area, here a bench on the path of the access ramp to the podium coach, the fictitious start line will be drawn at this precise location (1) because it provides good visibility.
Six months before the event, for ordinary mortals, the starting village of the 9e stage of the Tour de France is still very vague on Tuesday December 3, 2024, but Yannick Goasduff already has it in mind, he who has twenty-three years of experience as responsible for the stage starts of the Tour. “The goal is to fit everything together so that the Tour is delivered safely on July 13. It’s the fruit of reflection, I try to explain it and for it to be understood locally. »
The manager toured the city in the company of Eric Maucort, first deputy mayor, and managers of technical services, the municipal police and the Roue Tourangelle.
The Tour in Chinon “was decided at 20 centimeters”
This is his fourth visit to Chinon, the first (incognito) allowed us to answer the crucial question: can the city receive the test? “If Chinon has the start of the Tour it’s because the bridges are high enough for the trucks, it was decided at 20 cm! »answers Yannick Goasduff.
A large barnum of 5,000 m² (2) with a closed space reserved for partners, teams and followers, the general public will take their place on the promenades along the banks of Vienne. The podium car, on which the riders will be presented before the start, will be placed between the two zones (at the War Memorial).
Still many details to sort out
The Tour caravan (some 1,000 vehicles) will be placed around the square, the advertising caravan will be located outside the city and will pass two hours before the fictitious start (scheduled for around 1 p.m.).
After this visit, there are still many details to be resolved, such as finding parking places for the public (15,000 to 20,000 spectators are expected), parking and traffic rules. “There will be major disruptions in the city center from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., then it will be released gradually”explique Eric Maucort.
The organizer of the Tour de France arrives in Chinon with 3.5 hours of entertainment before departure, a program which will be supplemented by that of the community (being created with its partners, associations, schools, etc.) for let the party last all day.
(1) On the platform at the corner of rue Denfert-Rochereau, near the Société Générale bank branch. The runners will then take the Aliénor-d'Aquitaine bridge to head to the left bank. The real start will be given in Anché, 7 km further.
(2) The village will be set up during the night from Saturday to Sunday July 13 and dismantled immediately after departure to reach Ennezat in the central massif, departure town on July 14.
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