This is exceptional: this July 14, the streets of Ennezat, a small town in Puy-de-Dôme, were filled: the crowd had come to applaud the departure of the 10th stage of the Tour de France.
Normally, Ennezat has just over 2,400 inhabitants. But this July 14, for the departure of the 10th stage of the Tour de France, it is a human tide which invades the streets of the Auvergne village: nearly 20,000 people expected for this day of national holidays under the sign of cycling. From the morning, the atmosphere rose crescendo, carried by the highly anticipated passage of the advertising caravan. Between distributions of goodies and music at full volume, the magic of the Tour has operated. “It’s madness here!” “Exclaims a spectator when he saw the colored tanks parading under the starting arch.
The real departure was given at 1:25 p.m., for a 165-kilometer stage that will lead the runners to the Mont-Dore station, at the foot of the Sancy. The profile is demanding, as explained by Laurent Brochard, former professional and local runner of the stage: “I know her by heart, this step!” They will even go through roads taken during our cyclosportive the rainbow witch. It goes up, it goes down, without respite. There is no collar outside category, but accumulation can hurt a lot. »»
On the program: several coasts listed in the mountain ranking, such as the hill of the Baraque or that of the Charade circuit, before an explosive final in Mont-Dore. Brochard confirms it: “The final is strong, with a real wall to finish. This is a first real test for suitors in the general classification. »»
Since the start of this 2025 Tour, the battle has been raging. No gift between leaders, and an intensity of every moment. So who will be released from the game today? Brochard anticipates a double scenario: “There is room for a nice breakaway, especially if it is large. But behind, the leaders will want to move. Some people have to go get time. »» The answer, as always, will be on the road. The arrival is expected around 5:25 p.m., and according to the pace observed in recent days, everything suggests that the runners will not wait to explode the peloton.
-Propos collected by Stéphane Trentesaux for France 3 Auvergne
Tour de France 2025
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The Tour de France 2025 will take place from July 5 to 27, with a big departure from Lille and a traditional arrival on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The course of this 112nd edition, entirely traced in France, totals 3,320 km distributed over 21 stages, including two individual time trials and five arrivals at the top. The key stages include the ascent of Mont Ventoux on July 22, followed by arrivals at altitude in Courchevel (Col de la Loze) on July 24 and at La Plagne on July 25, promising a spectacular final in the Alps. Photo: Nice morning/Maxppp/Dylan Meiffret
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