Étoile de Bessèges 2025 February 5th - 9th

[Rob5091]

Wednesday the 5th of February is the start of this years Etoile de Bessèges. Only 2.1 but a good warm up race. Startlist at https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/etoile-de-besseges/2025/startlist
Stage 1
Bellegarde to Bellegarde 159 km (note uphill finish)

Stage 2 Domessargues to Marguerittes 165.8 km

Stage 3 Bessèges to Bessèges 164 km

Stage 4 Vauvert to Le Mont Bouquet 155.7 km

Stage 5 ITT Alès to L'Hermitage 10.6 km

 

[Lequack]

I am here for Jan Tratnik in his new Red Bull team, although he will probably be helping Van Gils,

 

[Samamba]

There should be wind on wednesday so the Bellegarde stage could be a spectacle agaiin like 2 years ago. Filled with crashes too tho probably.

 

[Rob5091]

The famous photo from 2023 - Yesterdays winner Valentin Ferron hanging off the bridge

 

[Devil's Elbow]

This race always delivers and the field is absolutely insane for a 2.1, looking forward to this one.

 

[Berniece]

Very nice startlist this year. For the sprinters we've got Pedersen, De Lie, Meeus, Bennet, Demare, and Magnier. On top of that some nice names for GC with Tratnik, Van Gils, Carapaz and others I might be missing.

 

[Rob5091]

TV times seem to be at 14.00 CET although the last day ITT might be earlier.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Both Mads and Magnus will be racing, so I'll have to watch.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

This race always delivers and the field is absolutely insane for a 2.1, looking forward to this one.

Totally agree with the Devils elbow here. This is a fantastic route as well. Underrated race. Should be the highlight of this weeks racing

 

[Tricycle Rider]

The famous photo from 2023 - Yesterdays winner Valentin Ferron hanging off the bridge

I didn't watch the race back then and haven't seen this photo before, so I must ask - how long was he hanging there and who eventually pulled him back up?

EDIT: I looked it up myself because the suspense was just killing me, evidently it was Axel Laurance who pulled him back up. So hats off to Laurance, I've suddenly, and belatedly, become a fan of his!

 

[yaco]

I would rather have the ITT stage one which could lead to more attacking on the mountain stage. I have found the mountain stage to be passively ridden in the last few editions.

 

[Rob5091]

Found it at last! (under "press kit") This year's Roadbook at
https://www.etoiledebesseges.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Dossier-Presse-2025-Presentation.pdf

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Found it at last! (under "press kit") This year's Roadbook at
https://www.etoiledebesseges.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Dossier-Presse-2025-Presentation.pdf

Thank you for your effort!

There are many races to pick and choose from this week, but I already mentioned Mads and Magnus will be in this one, so I'll give it a looky first.

 

[Sciatic]

Found it at last! (under "press kit") This year's Roadbook at
https://www.etoiledebesseges.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Dossier-Presse-2025-Presentation.pdf

Thanks for posting that link. It's helpful to see the "Diffuseurs Officiel" at the back, which tells me I may be able to watch a stream on L'Equipe.

 

[Samamba]

Sadly less wind tomorrow than was expected earlier. Probably no echelons. Will be a full on bunch sprint towards the last hill, it's pretty technical. If you're not in the first 10 at the foot you're probably done for.

There some fear apparently for Friday and Saturday stage. Very bad weather expected. 10 years ago it wouldn't have been a problem but you never know now.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

View: https://youtu.be/P-eZr6PTsWw

 

[RedheadDane]

There are many races to pick and choose from this week, but I already mentioned Mads and Magnus will be in this one, so I'll give it a looky first.

Considering it's on the schedule first, starting with this does seem like a good plan.

(Dunno if it'll be done before Valenciana starts. You might need to do some double watching.)

 

[Berniece]

Last time they rode this stage it was won by De Lie, beating Pedersen. This was in 2023, because last year it was cancelled due to strikes in the area. I guess it will be another battle between those two unless Magnier surprises us, which I doubt.

 

[E_F_]

Magnier

Magnus?

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Last time they rode this stage it was won by De Lie, beating Pedersen. This was in 2023, because last year it was cancelled due to strikes in the area. I guess it will be another battle between those two unless Magnier surprises us, which I doubt.

Magnier has allegedly gained some weight (some even spoke of 5kg), as he seems to be focussing on more 'pure' sprints. We'll have to see whether he still has that uphill kick.

 

[Berniece]

Magnus?

No, I meant Paul Magnier. The kid that won 5 races, and finished 9 times in the top 3 in his pro debut year.

Magnier has allegedly gained some weight (some even spoke of 5kg), as he seems to be focussing on more 'pure' sprints. We'll have to see whether he still has that uphill kick.

5kg is a lot to overcome, but De Lie is probably even heavier. We'll know what the impact is later today. Since Magnier will participate in cobbled semi-classics he'll need to be good enough to go over a hill anyway.

 

[Samamba]

Last time they rode this stage it was won by De Lie, beating Pedersen. This was in 2023, because last year it was cancelled due to strikes in the area. I guess it will be another battle between those two unless Magnier surprises us, which I doubt.

De Lie isnt 100% yet after his injury and the chances he is in good position at the bottom of the climb with the team he has around him here are really slim.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Magnier has allegedly gained some weight (some even spoke of 5kg), as he seems to be focussing on more 'pure' sprints. We'll have to see whether he still has that uphill kick.

Source? Because that doesn't really make sense when Soudal are sending him to quite a few spring classics.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Source? Because that doesn't really make sense when Soudal are sending him to quite a few spring classics.

It was in the physical edition of Het Nieuwsblad a few days ago.

 

[Berniece]

De Lie isnt 100% yet after his injury and the chances he is in good position at the bottom of the climb with the team he has around him here are really slim.

Drop him in the wheel of Pedersen and don’t move? I don’t have personal experience riding a race so not sure how difficult that is