Editorial

60 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD OF A FINE ADVENTURE

Created in 1936 by the C.C. Creillois, the Tour de Picardie is strategically positioned in the cycling calendar between the spring classics and the major stage races.

Traditionally reserved for road sprinters, it can come up with surprises when firebrands who favour attacking movements thwart the pack of sprinters to make it first across the line.

Winner in 2005, one of this race of riders, Estonian Janeck Tombak, prevented Tom Boonen from bringing off the double.

In 60 years, the Tour de Picardie has never ceased to climb all the steps of the international calendar. Initially fought over in the Oise county, then in the counties of the Oise and the Somme, it currently also takes in the Aisne, giving the Tour de Picardie the flavour of an authentic Picard event which, over the years, has criss-crossed all the Region's roads.

This development is the fruit of a partnership between the Regional Council, the three County Councils and the Tour de France organisers.

For the 60th anniversary, it is difficult to forecast who will be succeeding Janeck Tombak. The event remains extremely open and once again invites attackers while at the same time preserving a well-balanced mix between flat racers, firebrands and sprinters. There will be no shortage of riders challenging to write their name on the already prestigious roll of honour that spans from Blanchon, winner in 1936, to Tomback, featuring on the way Stablinski, Guimard, Thurau, Hinault, Duclos-Lassalle, Indurain, Vinokourov, Kirsipuu et Boonen.

Jean-François PESCHEUX

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