Beware the Côte de Cadoudal

Plumelec was a stage town for the team time trial during the 1982 Tour that was won by the Ti-Raleigh team, in 1997 when Erik Zabel was victorious, and it also hosted the prologue in 1985. The Morbihan brought some good luck to French and Breton cycling that year as Bernard Hinault, who won that prologue, went on to take what remains France's last Tour victory. When the town last hosted the race in 2009, victory at the top of the fearsome Côte de Cadoudal went to Alejandro Valverde. Three French road championships have also taken place in Plumelec, producing successes for Bernard Thévenet (1973), Roland Berland (1979) and Didier Rous (2003). Every year since 1974, Plumelec has also put on its Grand Prix. Roger Pingeon was the first on the roll of honour, while last year's winner was Julien Simon, who had previously taken the title in 2012. The race has been won by some big names such as Laurent Fignon, Marc Madiot and Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle. Since 2006, it is been known as the Grand Prix de Plumelec-Morbihan. Plumelec owes its cycling connection to the famous Côte de Cadoudal. The climb is 2.3km long with an average gradient of five per cent, a section at eight per cent and a hairpin bend. The finish of this stage will take place at the top of this hill.