2018 Route d'Occitanie (2.1), June 14-17

[dick the quick]

Never heard about this race? This is good old Route du Sud under new name (given probably because of greater involvement of the region Occitanie into organization of the event).

The race format stays as it was. Four stages, two of which are flat/hilly, then comes a true high mountain stage with a MTF in the Pyrenees, and finally medium mountain stage. No TT in the program.

Route details:

Stage 1: Cap Decouverte => Segala Carmaux, 168 km

Stage 2: Saint-Gaudens => Masseube Val-de-Gers, 173 km

Stage 3: Prat-Bonrepaux => Les Monts d’Olmes, 198.5 km

Stage 4: Mirepoix – Cazouls-les-Beziers, 193 km

Teams:

WT:
Ag2R
Astana
Groupama
Movistar (Valverde)
Sky (Bernal, Elissonde, some say Froome)

PCT:
Caja Rural
Cofidis
Delko Marseille
Direct Energie (Chavanel)
Euskadi
Fortuneo
Manzana Postobon
Vital Concept
Wanty

CT:
Bike Aid
Nice Cote d’Azur
Roubaix Lille Metropole
Saint-Michel Auber 93

Full startlist (still very provisional, unfortunately):
http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=Mjg1NDc=
https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/la-route-d-occitanie/2018/startlist

Roadbook:
https://www.laroutedoccitanie.fr/roadbook/

 

[DNP-Old]

Bernal isn't riding.

 

[dick the quick]

Plus some more detailed climb profiles:

 

[Gigs_98]

Very nice route. Stage 3 looks really hard and stage 4 has some nice hills to attack. Plus it gives us a small preview for stage 15 of the tour. But more than anything it once again showcases how much potential in the Pyrenees the tdf is throwing away every year. It's also quite sad how a mountain stage in a rather small prep race is harder than most mountain stages in the tour itself. 198 km with 5 serious climbs is really cool

 

[Blanco]

Re:

Bernal isn't riding.

It's a pity. I was looking forward to Valverde vs Bernal showdown.

 

[DNP-Old]

Re: Re:

Bernal isn't riding.

It's a pity. I was looking forward to Valverde vs Bernal showdown.

You and me both, but Portal confirmed he won't. Likely for Tour though.

 

[MatParker117]

Sky:

https://www.teamsky.com/race/MnrYnfsDPgq6ZEUxqmET8M

 

[Valv.Piti]

Damn, Bernal and Valverde would have made this mountain stage pretty special. Unless Valverde really got sick, he should have this easily then?

 

[Antoine_Blondin]

Damn, I'm too late for my yearly presentation of the Route du Sud I say Route du Sud but following the territorial reform in France and the creation of the Occitanie region, the race is renamed Route d'Occitanie :razz:

https://www.laroutedoccitanie.fr/roadbook/

To follow the race
https://twitter.com/RouteOccitanie
https://www.laroutedoccitanie.fr/
https://www.youtube.com/c/LaRoutedOccitanie
https://www.facebook.com/LaRouteDOccitanie

 

[Antoine_Blondin]

 

[Bolder]

Very nice route. Stage 3 looks really hard and stage 4 has some nice hills to attack. Plus it gives us a small preview for stage 15 of the tour. But more than anything it once again showcases how much potential in the Pyrenees the tdf is throwing away every year. It's also quite sad how a mountain stage in a rather small prep race is harder than most mountain stages in the tour itself. 198 km with 5 serious climbs is really cool

Exactly. I've ridden in the area between Quillan and Ax-le-Thermes (near stage 3) and it is gorgeous, but VERY hard riding. Actually the problem might be that some of the best roads are too small for race passage, and the tarmac is in worse shape than in the Alps. I hope Eurosport has some of it televised.

 

[Koronin]

Re:

Damn, Bernal and Valverde would have made this mountain stage pretty special. Unless Valverde really got sick, he should have this easily then?

He said it was a minor cold that didn't want to go away. Although sounds like he did get rid of it finally. From his strava account it hasn't effected his training any. This should be a win for him, esp since Sky isn't sending Bernal to give him some competition. That could have been some real fun on that mountain stage.

 

[Antoine_Blondin]

Almost final start-list

https://www.laroutedoccitanie.fr/2018/06/12/liste-des-engages-2018/

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Navarro, in his current shape, could have his revenge for Dauphine and take a stage if not the GC, if Valverde is not yet feeling too well. I'm really looking forward to the col's on stage 3 and 4. Pic de Nore looks very spectacular based on Google Maps

 

[shalgo]

I wonder why Reichenbach is riding here instead of Suisse, his home race.

 

[Forever The Best]

Les Monts d' Olmes combined with Montsegur. railxmig should be very happy.
Stage 3 is very good, great job Antoine.

 

[Antoine_Blondin]

To follow the race in real time : https://www.laroutedoccitanie.fr/edition-2018/resultats/resultats-de-letape-1/

 

[Alexandre B.]

Geez. Already?

 

[wirral]

It'll end in a sprint but the never-ending attacks are fun to watch.

 

[DNP-Old]

LMFAO Cofidis.

 

[Laplaz]

Hahaha Cofidis

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Bouhanni in a photo finish with Laporte

 

[DNP-Old]

Please, please, please, let Laporte have won.

 

[Alexandre B.]

This is the stuff of legends.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Nice lead out man