This Thursday, May 9, cyclists under the age of 17 will tackle the 85.5 km race of the 2024 French road cycling championships of the future, in Altkirch, in Alsace. Follow the race online from 10 a.m., live on our site and on france.tv.
The 2024 French road cycling championships of the future take place in Alsace from May 8 to 12, in the town of Altkirch (Haut-Rhin) and its surroundings. After the six time trials contested this Wednesday, May 8, experience the first online race for boys under 17 live at the top of this article and on france.tv.
Out of a thousand registered for the entire competition, 148 young U17 runners are entered to compete for the title of French champion. The best have in their sights the opportunity to be spotted by a professional team, with the dream of becoming a professional cyclist. To try to launch their careers, the cadets will have to complete the rather difficult 14.6 km circuit six times.
For lovers of cycling and beautiful landscapes, the circuit designed for today’s race is demanding. It is in Altkirch, capital of Sundgau, that the start and finish of the various races of the 2024 Future Championships are given. The route is made up of many turns, especially in the urban section.
The sequence of climbs and descents leaves little recovery time for young runners, including in the long section which runs through the Alsatian countryside. With little flat terrain, cyclists should still reach an average speed of around 39 km/h. Nothing is therefore decided in advance, with an uncertain outcome until the last climb.
The Haut-Rhin has already seen several pelotons of cyclists pass through in the past, notably in 1983 in Wintzenheim or in 1975 in Kaysersberg, already with the French championships of the future. Sundgau, birthplace of several champions, such as Hugo Hofstetter, Axel Zinglé and Quentin Bezza, could host the French professional championships, depending on the success of the future 2024 championships.
Throughout this weekend, vibrate to the rhythm of the championships of the future of road cycling. Follow the next race of the day on our site, from 2:30 p.m. for the U15 and U17 women’s race, live with commentary by Manuel Goetz and Julien Thollet.
At the end of the week, the cadets and hopefuls will compete on Saturday, May 11 from 10:30 a.m. for the U23 women’s road race, and at 4 p.m. for the men, then this Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m. for the U19 women’s race, and at 3 p.m. for the men’s race.
