4th stage (La Baule – Sarzeau) Saint-Jean-la-Poterie deserved its Tour – Cycling



[ad_1]


 In the "Aucfer coast" for the locals, or the "Côte de Saint-Jean-La Poterie" for the Tour, the public had gathered on the side of the road while waiting for the runners, for the the only "climber" of the day
In the "Aucfer coast" for locals, or the "Côte de Saint-Jean-La Poterie" for the Tour, the public had gathered on the edges of the road while waiting for the runners, for the only "climber" of the day. (Photo Nicolas Créach)




Special Envoy Benoit Siohan From the shoreline's memory, the Tour was never spent at Saint-Jean-la-Poterie, a small town in the extreme East of Morbihan on the edge of Redon. Tuesday was the summit of the day.

The communication of the Tour called it "Coast of Saint-Jean-La Poterie", the name of the small town that must be deserved when approached by bike on this side: the entrance sign in the village of 1,500 souls is located 50 m after the top of the bump. But this appellation controlled by ASO is a vision of right, in the sense of the rise. To the left of the road, we are at Rieux. So, to avoid a war between O'Timins and O'Hara, the people of this corner of Vilaine, at the exit of Redon and the joining of three departments, call it the coast of Aucfer. Commune of Rieux, all the same specifies the panel!

Bitumen melted


The only "climber" of the day is therefore at the top of this bump barely shorter (800 m), slightly less abrupt (8%) and only slightly less straight than the Mûr-de Brittany, that runners will take twice on Thursday. In this first day of Tour in Brittany, the place is strategic to see runners a little longer than in the straight line of Sarzeau, where they will tumble to 60 km / h a big hour later. The caravan is announced for 14:30, the runners two hours later. Meanwhile, it is only midday and the edges of the coast, where ropes and barriers have been arranged, are half saturated. In full sun, the free places where will be mbaded just now the last arrived. In the shade, the other company of the Tour is already at work: folding chairs, coolers and sandwiches, the scene is eternal. What is less so in these latitudes is to avoid areas where the bitumen has melted. Smells of grilling soon fill the air: we eat hot in the adjacent houses, in Saint-Jean or Rieux so, who for the most part have opened their courtyards to the family audience come to attend the procession. One could believe in a tradition firmly established. But no. Ms. Lemercier lives on the left bank, number 2, for 40 years. "We already had the women's Tour de Bretagne, but this is the first time we have the Tour". In itself, the event does not fascinate her more than that: "I went there once, on the side of Rennes, with Dutch friends". But no question for her to sulk the third sporting event on the planet when he comes to his door. So she did things right and a dozen guests filled her house, who are getting ready to sit down and watch the show.

4'30 '' all inclusive


The advertising caravan, screaming and fading, is a little late. The vehicles of the various sponsors of the event pbad at a brisk pace, throwing on the fly some offerings on which both adults and children throw themselves. At mid-slope, a beer pump, next to which one can also enjoy a slab-sausage has been installed. The initiative goes back to the Saint-Jean-La Poterie cycling club. Florent, the son of a local cyclist, is at work. Jersey of the team of France on the back, it reminds us that this July 10 sports and popular party can hide another. By serving a "volunteer from below", he explains the geography of the area. Here in Saint-Jean or Rieux we are in Morbihan. And 500 m lower, crossing one or the other bridge, we are in Redon (35) or Saint-Nicolas de Redon (44). But here is the other caravan, that of the runners: luck, there are four escaped. All inclusive, that is to say, including the pbadage of the hundreds of following cars, the show lasted 4'30 '', including 2'05 '', between the first and the last rider. Here, the Tour is spent in the coast of Aucfer. Maybe forever. The sequel to the TV.

[ad_2]
Source link