Profiles. From the 31st of January to the 4th of February the peloton is in France and will race the Etoile de Bessèges. It is the opening stage-race of the French calendar in 2024.
The five stages features a lot of opportunities for puncheurs, classics riders, sprinters and even time-trialists. It is a race with very open stages that can have quite interesting outcomes, and should provide for some nice spectacle.
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The opening stage of the race features the traditional finale in Bellegard. 160 kilometers on the menu which are mostly flat, but they lead up to one of the most explosive finales of the season. The ramp to the finish line is 800 meters at 7% and will be one of the biggest watt displays of the entire season.
Stage 2 takes place from Marguerittes to Rousson and is 164 kilometers long. On paper a day for the puncheurs, but there are a few barriers. 13.2 kilometers at 3.6% and 3.1 kilometers at 5.8% halfway through the day will be a bit of a warm-up, where some damage can be done to the fast men. However the situation will develop towards the end, where there are a couple of small hilltops before the finale, which in itself is on a 900-meter ascent at 9%, which will create some more gaps and provide for a spectacular sprint.
Stage 3 finally does not finish a hilltop sprint to the line, but that does not mean the riders are in for a calm day. Starting and finishing in Bessèges, the day features several ascents. The last four climbs are: 10Km at 3.2%, 4Km at 5.9%, 6.7Km at 3.6% and 2.4 kilometers at 5.1%. These hilltops will open the race quite a lot before the flat finale. A reduced bunch sprint could decide the day, but a small group or solo escapee can also succeed.
Another important day for the overall classification, the fourth day of racing has a summit finish in Mejannes-le-Clap. Overall, not a too difficult day, in a slightly hilly circuit. However all will be about the final ascent which is 4.4 kilometers at 4.6%, this will create some differences but the ascent does provide the opportunity for many riders to succeed.
The final day of the race is most likely to be considered the queen stage. After four hilly days the riders make the trip over to Alès for a 10.6-kilometer long time-trial. This will have a very difficult climb to the finish which is 2.8 kilometers at 5.6%, however features ramps above 15% where the riders will go to the absolute limit.
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