Étoile de Bessèges 2025 February 5th - 9th

[Samu Cuenca]

They don't have a yellow skinsuit for Vauquelin, but Latour has been allowed to ride in the white jersey.

 

[Rob5091]

Well they got some dry weather at last, but now the TV feed's gone down!

 

[Tim Cahill]

Discovery+ feed is down

I want my money back

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Discovery+ feed is down

I want my money back

My crappy Tiz link just went down also, so I'll have to use my imagination as to who actually won the TT.

Edit: Tiz is back again, please don't crap out on me now, only about 2km left for Vauquelin to go.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Nice ride by Teuns

 

[Samamba]

As expected.

It was definitely Hubert himself in those cars earlier this week. 3 free wins and +200 points for Arkea.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Vauquelin wins without gloves. Sven Fischer approves.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Vauquelin has potential to do a Laporte/Jorgenson next few years, contract year and Arkea's future uncertain, imagine quite a few teams are already knocking.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Congrats to Vauquelin and Arkea - B&B!

No doubt this whole race has been a clusterfuck for several reasons, but I hope it survives on some level. Actually, is it in danger of not surviving?

 

[will-10]

As expected.

It was definitely Hubert himself in those cars earlier this week. 3 free wins and +200 points for Arkea.

First CN forum asterisk of the year maybe? Or were there some Down Under that I missed?

 

[Samamba]

First CN forum asterisk of the year maybe? Or were there some Down Under that I missed?

Down Under should always have an asterisk, no matter what happens there

 

[Rob5091]

Chapeau Vauquelin & Arkea - GC & stage. For them it paid not to go home and 3 guys in the top 11 for St Michel. After all the rain and drama this week, let's hope for some better weather and no more impatient car drivers.

 

[RedheadDane]

Okay @Armchair Cyclist.
You can unsticky this now.

 

[Rob5091]

No doubt this whole race has been a clusterfuck for several reasons, but I hope it survives on some level. Actually, is it in danger of not surviving?

It's been around in one shape or another since 1971 and has a good spot on the calender so I think it'll continue for a while yet.

 

[Netserk]

The route of the ITT was the same as last year. Vauquelin was 4.5 seconds slower this year.

 

[tobydawq]

The route of the ITT was the same as last year. Vauquelin was 4.5 seconds slower this year.

I think it has been the same for the past many years. Ganna has the record from 2021 - 15:00.

 

[Netserk]

I think it has been the same for the past many years. Ganna has the record from 2021 - 15:00.

No, small differences between them.

 

[tobydawq]

No, small differences between them.

Are you sure? I noticed that the distance fluctuated a bit on PCS but I figured that was a mistake.

 

[Netserk]

Yes, I checked the maps last year.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Down Under should always have an asterisk, no matter what happens there

Ryo approves!

 

[Rob5091]

Postscript to the race from Inner Ring blog -
https://inrng.com/2025/02/fading-stars/#more-45537

Brittle model
To explain the threat, small races don’t sell TV rights. They pay to have the event filmed and the going rate is typically €50,000 per day but the idea is this brings in sponsors who get visibility, the coverage appeals to more teams and so creates a virtuous cycle. This can work in reverse as if there’s a spontaneous cancellation then the TV producers will still bill but the sponsors won’t pay and nor may host towns and so the event is done for.

A specific solution for Bessèges could be to rename the race. It’s really become a tour of the Gard department and rebranding it as such could bring in more political support. But how much remains to be seen, it’s easy to type a suggestion. Actually getting politicians on board is much harder, and we’ve not talked about the cuts to French local government that are coming so good luck getting more funding.

More resources could help, more police, more road closures. Or if this isn’t possible then a different route. Or a circuit. Or no race… and this is the ultimate concern because if small organisations lack the clout to get backing like sufficient police resources, closed roads and cash to meet raised requirements then they’re done for and this applies to many races far from Bessèges. Many races have quietly vanished but this trend looks set to accelerate.

 

[yaco]

Postscript to the race from Inner Ring blog -
https://inrng.com/2025/02/fading-stars/#more-45537

It's worse if you have a circuit race for the local residents because if you live in the circuit, then you are stuck a thome for 4 to 6 hrs.

 

[RedheadDane]

It's worse if you have a circuit race for the local residents because if you live in the circuit, then you are stuck a thome for 4 to 6 hrs.

Surely, the problem is if you're at work, and can't get home.

 

[yaco]

Surely, the problem is if you're at work, and can't get home.

Same principal. Rolling closures work best for smaller races.

 

[RedheadDane]

Same principal. Rolling closures work best for smaller races.

What principal?

(I know what you meant.)

Well, nothing's wrong with being home for 4-6 hours.