Ø The 8th edition of La Course by Tour de France avec FDJ will be contested over 108 kilometers this Saturday, June 26, between Brest and Landerneau, raising the curtain of the first stage of the Tour de France. The arrival at the top of the Fosse aux Loups hill, to be climbed four times, promises a great tussle and a thrilling scenario.
Ø The winner will be the last one on the record book of the event that will give way to the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, an 8-day stage race that will take place from next year onwards
An unprecedented punchy finale
This is the first time that La Course by Tour de France avec FDJ offers an uphill finish dedicated to punchy riders. After a 54-kilometer loop on a lumpy terrain, the riders will enter a circuit to be covered four times that includes the Fosse aux Loups hill (3 km at 5.7%), at the top of which the finish line will be drawn. “It really suits the girls who are strong at the Mur de Huy in the Flèche wallonne”, said Jean-Marc Marino who coordinates the race for ASO. “It’s very steep at the foot and the closer we get to the finish, the softer the gradient is.” Bad weather in Brittany in recent days should however spare the race on Saturday. The wind is expected to be moderated and should the sky be overcast, the risk of rain is low.
Marianne Vos looking for the triple crown
Beaten on the edge last year in Nice by Elizabeth Deignan, Marianne Vos would like to add her name to the La Course by Tour de France avec FDJ for a third and last time. She would then remain in the light of history the sole record-holder of the event, the Dutchwoman currently sharing the record of two wins with her compatriot Annemiek van Vleuten. A success for the leader of Jumbo-Visma would also have a symbolic meaning since she already won the first edition in 2014 on the Champs-Elysées. She can therefore come full circle in Brittany. “Since the first edition, it has been really special to compete in La Course,” said the three-time road world champion. I’m glad I won it twice already, and if there is a possibility of another success, I will not miss out.”
Audrey Cordon-Ragot: “A pretty open race”
Vos is obviously named among her peers as one of the big favorites of the day, even if the nature of the track may hold some surprises. “I think she’s the fastest girl on this kind of finish”, said Audrey Cordon-Ragot (Trek-Segafredo) of Brittany, who plays at home. “We can also think of Coryn Rivera (Team DSM) who is very fast and does well with these kinds of climbs, just like my teammate Lizzie Deignan. I think it’s going to be a pretty open race.” “It will not come down to just a fight in the final climb of the Fosse aux Loups”, Vos previewed. “I expect a tough and aggressive race. It’s hard to say in advance who will have the best chance of winning if the favorites come together at the foot of the last climb.” The name of Anna van der Breggen (Team SD Worx), the reigning world champion and seven-time winner of the Flèche Wallonne, is also on everyone’s lips. “On such a course, she is the favorite in my mind”, said Evita Muzic (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope). “She really dominated the season, leaving no room for others. But everyone went for training camps in May to prepare for the Olympics, it’s been almost a month, if not more, that we haven’t seen some riders in any race. There are a lot of competitors whose fitness status is unknown.”
Evita Muzic: “The nicest race for wearing the tricolour jersey”
Seven days after winning her first French professional championship title at Epinal, Muzic is about to show off her tricolour jersey. “I’m really looking forward to wearing it for the first time, especially on La Course”, she continued. “It’s the best day to wear this blue-white-red tunic. There should be quite a few people on the road side, especially because we’re in Brittany where the supporters are always present. It’s going to be something exceptional, and it gives me even more motivation to compete in this race.” She finished 22nd in Pau two years ago and 26th in Nice last year. “My role will probably consist of going with the moves when the race will become hard in order to help my leaders to save some energy. We’ve got two cards to play with Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (7th of the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège) and Marta Cavalli (6th of the Tour of Flanders). Our ambition is to win.”
Stéphane Pallez: “A major breakthrough for women’s cycling”
A major player in the history of French cycling, FDJ is the main partner of La Course by Tour de France and is committed to the promotion and encouragement of female sports with its „Sport pour Elles“ program. Stéphane Pallez, CEO of the group, is delighted with the launch of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2022: “This is the last edition of La Course by Tour de France avec FDJ, which will have offered a great exposure to women’s cycling and allowed the creation of the Tour de France Femmes. This is a major breakthrough for women’s cycling. FDJ has been involved in the promotion of women’s sport for many years and we are delighted to be a partner in this new event.”
@ASO