Étoile de Bessèges 2022 (February 2-6)

[Devil's Elbow]

It's just a few years ago that this race attracted middling fields and had the majority of stages end in bunch sprints. No more, this is most probably the hardest route in its history.

Startlist

Stage 1

No, it's not the same finish as in previous years. While they still climb Côte de la Tour, that's not the hill they use for the finish. In addition, it looks like tomorrow will be windy and the 2020 race showed that the terrain is suitable for echelons.

Côte de la Tour

Final climb, heading left through a roundabout at 80 metres from the line so whoever makes it into the turn first should be winning the stage.

Stage 2

Every stage has some GC relevance and this is no exception, with a deceptively steep final ramp to the finish line.

Côte de Lasalle

Côte du Pradel

Plateau du Castellas (final climb)

Stage 3

The classic climbs of this race return to the finale of what was traditionally the queen stage. With the MTF the day after the racing may be less aggressive than usual but this should still be a good stage.

Côte d'Aubrias

Dieusses

Col de Portes

Côte de Tharaux

Col du Grand Châtaignier

Col des Brousses

Col de Trélis

Stage 4

The MTF, same as in 2020.

Côte des Concluses

Mont Bouquet

Stage 5

The traditional closing TT. They've changed the flat section completely compared to previous years, but the climb is still the same so it shouldn't make much of a difference.

Montée de l'Ermitage

The race is not on Eurosport, but will be broadcast by L'Équipe in France and RTBF in Wallonia.

 

[RedheadDane]

I volunteer! I volunteer for a kidnapping!

Not you, BlueRoads. Someone in a broadcast zone.

 

[johnymax]

It's just a few years ago that this race attracted middling fields and had the majority of stages end in bunch sprints. No more, this is most probably the hardest route in its history.

Startlist

Stage 1

No, it's not the same finish as in previous years. While they still climb Côte de la Tour, that's not the hill they use for the finish. In addition, it looks like tomorrow will be windy and the 2020 race showed that the terrain is suitable for echelons.

Côte de la Tour

Final climb, heading left through a roundabout at 80 metres from the line so whoever makes it into the turn first should be winning the stage.

Stage 2

Every stage has some GC relevance and this is no exception, with a deceptively steep final ramp to the finish line.

Côte de Lasalle

Côte du Pradel

Plateau du Castellas (final climb)

Stage 3

The classic climbs of this race return to the finale of what was traditionally the queen stage. With the MTF the day after the racing may be less aggressive than usual but this should still be a good stage.

Côte d'Aubrias

Dieusses

Col de Portes

Côte de Tharaux

Col du Grand Châtaignier

Col des Brousses

Col de Trélis

Stage 4

The MTF, same as in 2020.

Côte des Concluses

Mont Bouquet

Stage 5

The traditional closing TT. They've changed the flat section completely compared to previous years, but the climb is still the same so it shouldn't make much of a difference.

Montée de l'Ermitage

The race is not on Eurosport, but will be broadcast by L'Équipe in France and RTBF in Wallonia.

The stars in front of the names of the riders on the startlist suggest who is eligible for young rider competition, right?

Battle of youngsters Van Avermaet vs Mollema should be fun.

 

[RedheadDane]

The stars in front of the names of the riders on the startlist suggest who is eligible for young rider competition, right?

Naah, that's on PCS. On FC I think it denotes big names.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The race will also be live on GCN in restriced areas, but of course there are ways to get past that.

Naah, that's on PCS. On FC I think it denotes big names.

Yes, that's how they do it, and in this race most of them are closer to be eligible for the old rider classification anyway.

 

[johnymax]

Naah, that's on PCS. On FC I think it denotes big names.

Meh...you are no fun if there is no kidnapping involved.

Spoiler: The truth

I'm kidding, you are still moderately funny

 

[RedheadDane]

Yes, that's how they do it, and in this race most of them are closer to be eligible for the old rider classification anyway.

Now you're just being silly. There are only 11 riders who are eligible for the old rider classification in the whole race.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

It‘s cool that Ineos ride Besseges, and send Carapaz and Ganna. Besseges in the past was rather the race that the top teams and the big names avoided, for some reason.

I actually like these spring race weeks in France: Ouverture Marsellaise, Besseges, Mediterranean/Provence, Haut Var, Ardeche, Drome, Paris-Nice. Good also to see Roglic in Ardeche and Drome in a few weeks.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Now you're just being silly. There are only 11 riders who are eligible for the old rider classification in the whole race.

But surely GVA and Mollema are among them, and Pinot, Ulissi and Herrada come close. Coquard won an Olympic 10 years ago, so he's also old in cycling years.

 

[tobydawq]

Now you're just being silly. There are only 11 riders who are eligible for the old rider classification in the whole race.

There are only 11 riders above 30?

 

[tobydawq]

It‘s cool that Ineos ride Besseges, and send Carapaz and Ganna. Besseges in the past was rather the race that the top teams and the big names avoided, for some reason.

I actually like these spring race weeks in France: Ouverture Marsellaise, Besseges, Mediterranean/Provence, Haut Var, Ardeche, Drome, Paris-Nice. Good also to see Roglic in Ardeche and Drome in a few weeks.

When the Spanish calendar was practically cancelled last February, Ineos got a late invite to this race under the condition that they would also go this year.

 

[RedheadDane]

There are only 11 riders above 30?

There are only 11 riders born in 1987 or earlier.
Most of the old guys are in Spain.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

When the Spanish calendar was practically cancelled last February, Ineos got a late invite to this race under the condition that they would also go this year.

Thanks a lot, much appreciated - I didn‘t know that.

So I hope Ineos started to love this race, and will return year after year.

When writing these words, I suddenly remember Ineos in fact does even have a link to these races - or rather, Sky had: Tiernan-Locke was discovered in Tour Med and Haut-Var …

 

[Samu Cuenca]

There are only 11 riders born in 1987 or earlier.
Most of the old guys are in Spain.

No, most of the old guys are in pain.

 

[RedheadDane]

No, most of the old guys are in pain.

Why not... both?

 

[BlueRoads]

Why not... both?

The riders in Spain are mostly in pain!
Where are they in pain? Where are they in pain?
In Spain!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The riders in Spain are mostly in pain!
Where are they in pain? Where are they in pain?
In Spain!

I think she's got it, I think she's got it!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Laurens De Plus is riding, which means he might still be alive!

 

[Devil's Elbow]

The wind has blown the race apart, first group almost a minute up.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Uno-X pulling in both the first and second group for some reason. Ganna, Van Avermaet, Carapaz, Pedersen and Bettiol all reported up front.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Also there - Latour, Calmejane, Duchesne, Louvel, Russo, Skujins

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Also reported up front - Hofstetter, Armirail, De Bondt. Gap down to half a minute as they head up Côte de la Tour for the second time.

 

[SafeBet]

Uno-X still pulling the chasing group?
UAE has nobody up front?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Uno-X still pulling the chasing group?
UAE has nobody up front?

Chasing group has split on the climb. A small group with Ulissi and Coquard is close to making it to the front but they're back into echelon terrain so they're struggling to close the final 10 seconds Then there are about 50 riders about 15 seconds further back.

 

[tobydawq]

Hey RhD! Please comment to the mods that this thread needs a sticker.