Stage 19 Preview
FRIDAY, JULY 25TH – STAGE 19 – 208.5km
Maubourguet Pays du Val d’Adour / Bergerac
Mountain passes & hills Maubourguet Pays du Val d’Adour / Bergerac 208.5KM
- Km 195.5 – Cte de Monbazillac
1.3 kilometer-long climb at 7.6% – category 4
Intermediate sprint Maubourguet Pays du Val d’Adour / Bergerac 208.5KM
- Km 130.5 – TONNEINS
Last km Maubourguet Pays du Val d’Adour / Bergerac 208.5KM
Start: Maubourguet Pays du Val d’Adour
An area of plains and hills, the Pays du Val d’Adour is at the crossroads of the Barn, Bigorre and Gascogne cultures. Concerning Maubourguet, the name of the common was chosen by its inhabitants to inspire fear to possible invaders. But the ‘Bad Village’ will certainly be far more hospitable to the riders. While the Tour de France will stop there for the first time, Maubourguet has already hosted the start of a stage of the Tour des Pyrenes in 2004, heading to Lourdes and claimed by Tho Eltink.
Stage town for the 1st time
Maubourguet, capital town of the Hautes-Pyrnes (65)
Population : 2,500 inhabitants (Maubourgutois), 51,200 inhabitants for the 202 communes in the Pays du Val d’Adour community of communes, split over three departments (Gers, Pyrnes-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrnes)
Economy : Saint-Sever de Rustan Abbey, chteau de Montaner, Termes d’Armagnac Tower, Espace musographique de Maubourguet (Museum), Marciac Jazz Country. Festivals: Jazz in Marciac, Spirale Histoires (country music and story telling festival), Rencontres de Maubourguet (mixture of art and sport), Mdivales de Montaner (Medieval festival), Madiran wine festival. Saint-Jacques de Compostelle (Saint James’ Way)
Sport : course landaise (bullfi ghting), rugby, hiking, riding and cycle tourism, Basque pelota, canoe-kayaking
Specialities : Wines from Madiran, Pacherenc and Saint-Mont, the Mulard duck and its derivatives (foie gras, confits, whole duck), beans, garbure (French stew/soup), Gascon pastis, honey, Bigorre black pork.
Sustainable Development : electric rental bikes in Marciac, Natura 2000 sites (dry orchid meadows and the valle de l’Adour), Agenda 21 of the Pays du Val d’Adour
Labels : Maubourguet, green resort. Marciac, Great site of the Midi-Pyrnes. Montaner, Key site in Aquitaine
Finish: Bergerac
On the main square of the common, a statue of Cyrano is displayed, although the hero who inspired Edmond Rostand’s theatre play never put a foot in the city.
Unlike Cyrano, wines are very present in the area including the famous Monbazillac. In terms of cycling, Bergerac has only welcomed one stage of the Tour that brings back fond memories to Jacky Durand. On that day of July 1994, he had indeed conquered his first stage victory in Cahors with the French champion’s jersey on his shoulders.
Stage town for the 3rd time
Dordogne (24)
Population : 28,000 inhabitants (Bergeracois), 56,200 inhabitants in the 27 communes of the Bergerac Agglomeration Community
Economy : metal fabrication,chemistry, horticulture, viticulture, vocational training, vocational high school opened in 2014, creation of an industrial and tourist centre for 2017, airport
Culture : Notre-Dame church, Rcollets cloisters, Cyrano statues, Jean Jaurs bandstand and park, town museum, Tobacco Museum, historic centre, barge port, on the banks of the Dordogne. Events: Flamenco, Jazz, Latin, Bodega Festivals, The Summer musical, Musical Circle Review, Airshow
Sport : USB Rugby (Fdrale 3, French Champions in 2013), Bergerac handball (Nationale 1 women), SNB rowing (Stany Delayre, European double skulls champion), Abdherrahim Maya, World champion runner up in Ccifoot (football for the visually impaired). Events: half marathon, Triathlon, Night of sports
Specialities : wine, strawberries, ceps, duck, cabcou soft goats cheese, four michelin starred chefs, a world champion pastry chef
Sustainable Development : 30 km of cycle way, Transports la demande (TAD) (different types of transport), Pombonne Nature Park
Labels : Town of Art and History, Sport for all, 4 flowers and the Golden Flower Trophy
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