Leaving the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes we travel roughly 180 miles passing through the Ardeche and into the Occitania region where the temperature continues to rise daily so it’s a hot few days before we get to the village of Moyrazes and pick up stage 4 of the Tour, however the weather soon decides to make a dramatic change back to the stormy, cold rain we had a few weeks ago, I’ll be careful what I wish for in future!
Before I write anymore about the stages and what we did I thought I’d give an insight into the history of the women’s Tour de France.
For the majority of its time, the Tour de France kept women squarely on the sidelines, with the only female roles being played by a loyal wife or the latest girlfriend, there clearly was no place for them until 1955 when there was a one-off cycle stage race. Then in 1984, the race was reintroduced as an annual event until 2009 with the early years being a success but over time it also had its ups and downs, with format changes, interruptions and then due to lack of financial funding the event was cancelled. However, 2022 saw the comeback of the women’s tour with 24 teams of six cyclists each all lined up on the Champs-Élysées in Paris to begin the eight-day event which proved to be a success. This year with the peloton rolling out of Clermont-Ferrand the tour will zigzag its way across to the Pyrenees passing through small villages, hamlets and town centres with some familiar backdrops from the many editions of the men’s tour and this year promises to be even more exciting and spectacular, featuring some of the world’s best riders on these iconic roads.
We arrive early afternoon at the small town of Moyzares where there is no sign of impending event but come early evening the Mayor and locals swing into action and the town comes to life.
Over the next four days, we watched the women tackle hilly terrain, challenging climbs and weather that cannot make its mind up but it never stopped the excitement and fun these women brought to this event.
The men’s Tour is always supported well by fans so it was also great to see so many people making the effort to support this event too. It looks promising for the future and the next generation of young female riders pursuing their dreams.
For someone who isn’t a cyclist, there is still something special about the Tour that I can’t explain. Whether it’s the atmosphere, the course, the organisation, I’m not sure but above all, I think it’s the excitement the fans share amongst each other that makes it special too.
Located 700 meters above sea level on the heights of the Ségala plateau is the small town of Moyrazès which is steeped in history. We park on the category 2 climb in the village where we are joined by several more vans over the evening.
Moyrazès became a seigneury and summer residence for the bishops of Rodez, whose castle were destroyed around 1500.
Our neighbours for the day are flying the flag for the Belgium team, Tone and Em are also following the tour and we decide to follow the next few stages together.
Parked up just down the road from us is Les Amis du Tour de France from Belgium they are avid supporters of the Tour.
It’s been a steep climb for the riders to get to Moyrazes and they still have away to go before the finish.
Stage 5 is in Monesties so we park under the trees and walk just up the road with Tone and Em to where the sprint takes place.
Whilst watching the sprint Em points out the Dutch presenter Maarten Vangramberen and Marijn De Vries who was a racing cyclist and now a presenter for Spoza news.
The locals are out in full force today in Monesties
Tone supporting the Belgium team I’m sure he will be on Spoza news tonight
After all the fun of the caravan, we enjoy an ice cream at the local farmer’s market under the trees.
Chocolate and vanilla €5 for 2 scoops!
Em, and I try to find some shade as the group is rather spread out today and it takes a while before all the riders pass by.
Stage 6 and we park for the night on the category 4 climb near Vindrac-Alayrac and are soon joined by the Tour team who will put up the banners in the morning so it’s an entertaining evening watching fill their motorhome up with water from the lorry.
Barbara Malcotti from the Human-powered health team throws her bottle and it lands right on my feet
Waiting for the action to start on the Col ‘d Aspin
Just a small turn out for todays stage on the Col ‘d Aspin
Our 7.30am wake up call
Stage 7 on the Col‘d Aspin we meet the Internationelles, a group of women who continue to fight for equality in the cycling world.
Police national, Gendarmerie and the Guardia Civil are all out in full force on the Col‘d Aspin.
Before the caravan arrives there’s fun and games with the Leclere team to win a flag
Spotting the Kent Invictus flag on the Col‘d Aspin we go in search of its owners. Ken and Gwen originally from Kent have lived in France for years and they fly the flag so their son can spot them on TV. Waiting for the race to come past and get chatting and soon realise we know members of their family it’s certainly a small world.
The mist rolls in just before the Tour arrives at the Col ‘d Aspin
I’ve learnt stuff I never knew!
Definitely worth watching a stage or 2 of your in the area