Etoile de Bessèges - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Etoile de Bessèges is a professional road cycling stage race held in France, typically taking place in early February.
- 2. The race is named after the town of Bessèges in the Occitanie region of southern France, where the race traditionally starts and finishes.
- 3. Etoile de Bessèges was first held in 1971 and has been an annual event ever since, making it one of the oldest races on the cycling calendar.
- 4. The race consists of five stages, with a mix of flat and hilly terrain, making it a challenging test for the riders.
- 5. Past winners of Etoile de Bessèges include cycling legends such as Eddy Merckx, Laurent Jalabert, and Bradley Wiggins.
- 6. The race is known for attracting top teams and riders from around the world, with many using it as preparation for the spring classics season.
- 7. The overall winner of the race is determined by the rider with the lowest cumulative time over the five stages.
- 8. The race is often used by teams and riders as an opportunity to test their form early in the season and gain valuable race experience.
- 9. Etoile de Bessèges is part of the UCI Europe Tour, which is a series of road cycling races held across Europe throughout the season.
- 10. The race is popular among cycling fans for its exciting racing, beautiful scenery, and the chance to see some of the sport's biggest stars in action.