This weekend riders across the continent did battle over the right to wear their national colours for the next year, with the stripes on offer for both the road race and time trial specialists. As ever, there were plenty of big-name riders in action, and you’ll be able to see a few of them donning their new jerseys at the Tour de France from Saturday. Here’s a rundown of what happened in Europe’s major cycling nations. Continue reading
The European season one-day opener, GP La Marseillaise, is quickly followed by the stage race L’Etoile de Besseges which, as its name suggests, is raced around the area of Besseges, a former mining town in the Gard department, part of the Languedoc Roussillon region. It too is supported by the La Marseillaise newspaper.
The 42nd edition of the five-day stage race starts tomorrow (Wednesday) and continues until Sunday. This year it features a split stage on the final day – a short road stage in the morning followed by an uphill time trial in the afternoon. Hoping to make it a bit more of a challenge for the sprinters, perhaps?