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Étoile de Bessèges 2023 (February 1-5)

The stage races come thick and fast this week and all of them are televised too, although this one has major georestrictions on GCN. Either way, this is always a good race.

Startlist

Stage 1: Bellegarde - Bellegarde, 160.7k

The same first stage as last year. We had echelons that day and it looks decently windy…

etoile-de-besseges-2023-stage-1-climb-2c66217b33.jpg


Côte de la Tour (2x):
EtSChkhWYAUJiCf


Finish, featuring the same 90-degree left-hander at 80 metres from the line as last year:
1XSk4CA_d.webp


Stage 2: Bagard - Aubais, 164.7k
The flattest stage, although the expected sprint is still somewhat uphill.

etoile-de-besseges-2023-stage-2-climb-27f4193385.jpg


Côte de Saint-Côme-et-Maruéjols:
etoile-de-besseges-2023-stage-2-climb-n2-99467bb4af.jpg


Côte de Clarensac:
etoile-de-besseges-2023-stage-2-climb-n3-7c8140fab2.jpg


Stage 3: Bessèges - Bessèges, 169.3k
The classic one. The final circuit is done the other way round compared to last year, what comes before that looks slightly easier than thar

etoile-de-besseges-2023-stage-3-sprint-0d12c63d2e.jpg


Climbs in order of first appearance:

Col de Trélis (2x):
TrelisN.gif


Col des Brousses (3x):
BroussesS.gif


Col du Grand Châtaignier:
col-du-grand-chataignier-saint-paul-le-jeune.png


Côte de Méjannes-le-Clap:
col-de-mejannes-le-clap-saint-andre-de-roquepertuis.png


Stage 4: Saint-Christol-lès-Alès - Le Mont Bouquet, 145.7k
The queen stage.

etoile-de-besseges-2023-stage-4-sprint-de589972d0.jpg


Côte de Saint-Siffret:
cote-de-saint-siffret.png


Côte des Concluses:
rjtywji_d.webp


Le Mont Bouquet (finish):
BouquetW.gif


Stage 5: Alès - Alès, 10.7k
The classic final TT. Just like the first stage, it looks identical to last year’s version.

etoile-de-besseges-2023-stage-5-sprint-1036489e29.jpg


Site de l’Ermitage:
Etm2bM5WYAApCk-
 
Got my eyes on Michael Leonard and Josh Tarling here. The former is part of a very talented group of Canadians, he can be a big player in stage races in the future. Joshie T has the engine to go so many ways, but he’ll always be a time trialist at heart. I think he could already push for top 20 here in Alès.
 
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Reactions: Sandisfan
I'm confused - did the groups come together and then there was a new split?

No. Still 50 seconds between 2 pelotons (2nd peleoton chasing hard with Cofidis, EF and Arkea). But new crosswind section now so groups might split again.

Any big name caught behind in the echelons? I'm not watching.

Thomas, Vauqueling (after flat tire), Powless, Pinot.
 
No. Still 50 seconds between 2 pelotons (2nd peleoton chasing hard with Cofidis, EF and Arkea). But new crosswind section now so groups might split again.



Thomas, Vauqueling (after flat tire), Powless, Pinot.

It took me until just now to understand that there is no other group in front, what they call the "peloton" is the second peloton, and what I would call first peloton are the leaders for them...
 

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