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Bourg-lès-Valence
180 km
Thursday 15 July
A 100 % first time stage. Sisteron and Bourg-lès-Valence have never before played host to the Tour. The stage start from Sisteron, in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, towered over by its famous citadel, will finish in the neighbouring county of Drôme. With the exception of the Cabre pass, there will be no major challenges and racers - sprinters should shine among the frontrunners in this stage.
• Stage town for the first time
• Population: 8,000
• County town of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence canton (04)
Riders of Paris-Nice are familiar with Sisteron, as the race regularly stops off here, but it’s a major first for the Tour. At the start in Sisteron, the caravan will be able to admire the panoramic, breathtaking views from the citadel that towers above the town and Tour followers will be able to sample the tasty lamb, a local speciality for which the “Gateway to Provence” is renowned. As for the riders, they will perhaps have a thought for poet Paul Arène, a native of the town and author of a work called “From the Alps to the Pyrenees”.
• Stage town for the first time
• Population: 18,900
• County town of Drôme canton (26)
This stage finish is a first for Bourg-lès-Valence, now on a par with its great neighbour Valence that also hosted only one stage of the Tour, in 1996. Bourg had a practice run in 2009 by hosting the start of a time-trial on the Dauphiné Libéré, won by Bert Grabsch; the reigning world champion outshone Cadel Evans and David Millar here. The town boasts a dynamic club, the Sprinter Club: Christophe Edaleine, the former professional cyclist who participated in three Tours between 2002 and 2004, is a member.
