Étoile de Bessèges 2024 – Stage 1
The Bellegarde Ramp stage.
Route

If the wind blows, things will blow apart.

The climb is all about positioning. After the turn, it is one long sprint (60 seconds) to the line.
Weather
We had echelons here in 2023. Tomorrow, with just 1-3 m/s, that will not happen. Expect a sprint.
Contenders
Mads Pedersen – he is the man to beat. The team is very strong and he can finish it off himself.
Cosnefroy – 3rd in 2023. The podium is a realistic goal tomorrow. Dries de Bondt will make sure he is where he needs to be.
Bettiol – EF rides for who? I think Bettiol is superior to Healy here. Bissegger should have the diesel to position him correctly, otherwise he can manage on his own.
Mozzato – I think it is a sprint that suits him. He is a versatile sprinter. Maybe the team decides to ride for their GC man Vauquelin instead.
Kristoff – If you think about it, a sprinter who likes to open up his sprint early should love a finish like this. With a strong squad (Tiller, Cort and Leknessund), he should have a good position before the climb. And that is important tomorrow.
B. Thomas – a top-10.
Who will win?
Mads Pedersen.