LA TOUSSUIRE-LES SYBELLES : Etape Du Tour Finish Town
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SOMMAIRE Editorial ………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 The cycling phenomenon……………………………………………………………... 2 Presentation of the event……………………………………………………………… 4 Map of the route…………………………………………………………………………… 5 Route schedule……………………………………………………………………………… 6 Saint Jean de Maurienne : L’Etape du Tour start town ..………..…………. 7 La Toussuire-Les Sybelles : L’Etape du Tour finish town ……………………. 8 The competitors…………………………………………………………………………….. 9 Behind the scenes………………………………………………………………………….. 10 Interview with Julien Chauveau, Trek marketing manager……………… 11 The partners …………………………………………………....………………………...... 12 Media Resources……………………………………………………………………........ 13 E.Vargiolu AVA/ Crédit Crédit photo : ASO/ Etape du Tour 2014 EDITORIAL MATHIEU BOUTROUX, DIRECTOR OF THE ETAPE DU TOUR “Bring the legend of the Tour de France to riders from around the world” What are the particularities of the 2015 edition of L’Etape du Tour? This year, L’Etape du Tour will be a loop stage. We found this configuration to be ideal in 2013 on the Annecy - Annecy-Semnoz stage and we set a record for entries. This format is especially praised by the competitors for organizational reasons. The strong desire of the elected officials of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and La Toussuire to host L’Etape du Tour finally convinced us. Another specificity: for the first time, the Village will be situated at altitude, at La Toussuire. The cyclists and their friends and families will have the chance to spend three days at the resort, in an unprecedented and idyllic setting. Our desire is to also provide a sense of sharing and a pleasurable experience to the competitors. Why did you choose this difficult mountain stage? A.S.O. wanted to offer the riders the climbs on the legendary passes that are the things of dreams. It is also a stage with an atypical profile that will be decisive in the Tour de France general classification, as was mentioned by Christian Prudhomme during the route presentation. On this day, anything can happen and it is essential for us to be as close as possible to the challenges of Le Tour. With Chaussy, Glandon, Croix de Fer, Mollard and Toussuire, stage 19 of the Tour de France is exactly what the amateur cyclists want and it will let them experience the legend that is Le Tour de France. For proof that we have not erred in our choice: the 15,000 race numbers were gone in just one month, a record! In 2012, L’Etape du Tour featured the legendary Croix de Fer and Toussuire passes. What do you remember from then? In 2012, the Glandon and Croix de Fer climbs were already part of the route and this did surprise more than a few people. For some competitors it was the first time to make the climb via these routes and they were caught out by their difficulties. It is an occasion for us to offer the riders a new ascent that has remained in the history of L’Etape du Tour. Who is this route designed for? For sure, it is a demanding route for seasoned amateur cyclists and enthusiasts who train to experience what the Tour de France is like. Generally, there are two types of riders. The regulars, loyal to L’Etape du Tour, who make up 30% of the 2015 peloton and wait impatiently for us to announce the routes, so they can circle the date on their calendar. And then there are those who will participate for the first time and adjust their training programme for it. In any case, everyone prepares to complete the stage and become a finisher. Since the creation of the event in 1993, have you seen an evolution in the profile of the typical participant? We have noticed an increase in female participation. Men make up about 95% of the entries but this year, we have more than 700 women. We will also have 70 nationalities represented. We have noticed a deep-rooted tendency: the internationalization of the event. At the start of L’Etape du Tour we will have cyclists who travelled a long way to be with us like the Brazilians who also rank in the top three among foreigners with the British and the Irish. What would you like to say to the riders who will take part in this wonderful adventure this coming July 19. That they enjoy this day to the fullest! We are thrilled, with the communities, to host them in Savoy, which will provide a magnificent setting and a memorable challenge. 1 AROUND THE WORLD: THE CYCLING PHENOMENON The Tour de France, beyond its borders Each year, the number of riders attempting L’Etape du Tour adventure increases. And, some travel great distances to live the experience and test themselves on a route that the professional peloton will ride on five days later. Brazilians rank in the top three of foreigners present in the event and are willing to cross the Atlantic to become part of the legend. At the start, 70 nationalities will rub shoulders this year, guided by the same desire: to take on an unforgettable challenge on a route closed to traffic. The passion and privileged race conditions also entice these brave souls to cross the oceans and break down the barriers to soak up the Tour de France magic. 40 000 cyclists, 7 countries, 2 continents While professional cycling is known around the world, today cycling enthusiasts are also part of a global movement to internationalize cycling. In addition to L’Etape du Tour, A.S.O. and its partners propose numerous and new challenges, which will bring together more than 40,000 participants this year. In France, with the Paris- Roubaix Challenge or Explore Nice Métropole by le Tour de France- in Belgium, in England, in Argentina, Paraguay and even in Brazil, the world’s bicycle enthusiasts can now take on the challenge of the routes raced on by the stars of the professional peloton. Out to conquer Latin America The Tour de France is now exported to the South American Continent. With L’Etapa Argentina by Le Tour de France, the Salta and Jujuy provinces will host the admirers of the mountains and the Tour from September 25-27. Then it will be Paraguay’s turn to organize, for the first time, an immersion into the atmosphere of this prestigious event, from October 30 - November 1. And in Brazil, the city of Cunha in the state of Sao Paulo, with L’Etape Brazil on October 25, will host the participants in a mountainous range that has all it needs to turn this new rendezvous into a legendary event. L’Etape Brazil by le Tour de France (25 October): 112 km, 2,870 metres of climbing, 6 climbs with gradients up to 18%, 2 000 participants. The Tour de France spirit settles in London After organizing the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride last May, A.S.O., in partnership with Human Race, will revive the prestige of the Tour de France in London. On a route that will re-trace a large portion of what was stage 3 of the Tour in 2014, the entrants will get to enjoy themselves and imitate the professional riders who already rode this famous circuit before arriving at the Lee Valley VeloPark, the Olympic velodrome, which hosted the 2012 Games and will host the 2016 world track championship. L’Etape London by le Tour de France (27 September): 3 races measuring 78, 147 and 189 kms, between 817 and 1660 metres of climbing, 3500 participants. 2 3 PRESENTATION OF THE EVENT This coming July 19, just a few days before the Tour de France peloton, thousands of amateur cyclists are expected for the 23rd edition of L’Etape du Tour, on the route of stage 19, from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to the ski resort of La Toussuire-Les Sybelles; with climbs of the col du Chaussy pass, Croix de Fer via Glandon and Mollard and the final climb towards La Toussuire – Les Sybelles. After the start at Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the riders will soon need to be on pace to take on the first difficulty of the race: the col de Chaussy pass, with 15.4kms of climbs at nearly an average of 6.3% gradient. The long descent towards La Chambre will be followed by primarily smooth valley roads that will end at kilometre 62.5 at the opening metres of the col de la Croix de Fer (via the col du Glandon pass) pass. With 22.4kms of climbing at nearly an average of 7% (and passages at 10%), keeping energy in reserve will be necessary to assure the Mollard climb, then from kilometre 120 begins the final uphill run towards La Toussuire – Les Sybelles at 1705m of altitude. The challenge to meet will be at the level of the countryside traversed all along the 138.3 km of this stage that promises to be demanding. D+: + 4 609 m D-: - 3 445 m Minimum altitude: 365 m (municipality of Epierre) Maximum altitude: 2 065 m (col de la Croix de Fer pass) 4 MAP OF THE ROUTE ROUTE SCHEDULE 6 SAINT JEAN DE MAURIENNE : Etape du Tour start town Pierre-Marie CHARVOZ, Mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne With the start of L’Etape du Tour and of stage 19 of the Tour de France, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne has become an inescapable cycling venue in the Alps. Saint-Jean de Maurienne’s history with the Tour de France is a short one and yet this year the town will host its 4th stage in less than 10 years. There is clearly a strong link between Saint-Jean and cycling. The cycling season has become longer and longer and now stretches from April to October.