The 16th stage of the Grande Boucle starts this Tuesday in Montpellier for an arrival at the top of Mont Ventoux. Midi Libre has recognized the course between Gaujac and Roquemaure and reveals the best spots to see the runners pass.
Six years after his last visit to the Rhodanian Gard, in 2019 during a Nîmes-Nîmes stage, the caravan and the runners of the Tour de France are back.
This Tuesday, July 22, the 16the Step will start in Montpellier to end in the ruthless slopes of Mont Ventoux. Around 2:35 p.m., the peloton should arrive near Gaujac. He will leave the Gard in Roquemaure.
Crossings of villages and the two collection zones
The roundabouts can see the yellow or pea jersey longer. The rounding crossroads between Gaujac and Connaux, on the road to Nîmes, will particularly slow the bikes, which will have to turn right.
On this flat route, one of the best solutions remains to position you in one of the four villages of the Rhodanian Gard crossed by the runners, which should reduce their speed in the streets. Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard will spend a few hundred meters from the center of Saint-Paul-les-Fonts and Saint-Victor-la-Coste.
Between the two villages will be a refueling area, prohibited to the public. At the start and out of this point, where runners slow down to catch drinking or eating, waste collection areas will be the perfect opportunity to pick up cans and musettes.
The small coast after Saint-Victor-la-Coste
At the exit of Saint-Victor-la-Coste, place to one of the rare Gardois climbs of this 16e stage. Many trees bring shade to both sides of the corrugated road. Surreted slopes border in places this slight slope of about 1.5 km, where cyclists will undoubtedly go slower.
The peloton will then pass through Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres and Saint-Geniès-de-Comolas. If you have windows or balconies that overlook the route, it’s time to enjoy it!
Athletes will join the Vaucluse around 3 p.m. by the Roquemaure bridge, prohibited to the public. A few kilometers after crossing the Rhône, an intermediate sprint will be held at the entrance to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the only animation of the stage with points before the legendary ascent of Mont Ventoux.
The arrival at the summit of Mont Chauve is scheduled around 4:55 p.m. The next day, Wednesday, July 23, Bollène will host the departure of the 17th stage.