Southern France traditionally hosts the first races of the season in the transalpine territory and is a reference point for many riders who open their season here.

The Étoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard was created in 1971 by former professional Roland Fangille and since then has been based, as per the organizer's wish, on three pillars: heritage, performance, and proximity. A great team of passionate volunteers carries forward the race, today led by Roland's daughter - who passed away in November 2020 - Claudine Fangille-Allegre.

THE ROUTE. In keeping with tradition, the Etoile (a 2.1 category international calendar race) will start from Bellegarde and conclude with the time trial in Ales, which could once again prove decisive for the race's outcome.

The first stage on paper should favor the sprinters while the second - from Domessargues to Marguerittes - winks at attackers with its 4 second-category climbs, obviously nothing transcendental, with the last one just 8 kilometers from the finish.

The third stage, starting and finishing in Besseges, offers a rolling route with four climbs, more challenging than the previous day.

The most anticipated stage is naturally the fourth, as after starting from Vauvert, riders will face three climbs but especially the uphill finish at Le Mont Bouquet, a 4.6 km climb with an average gradient of 9%. Finally, the time trial in Alès: 10.6 kilometers with the short final climb of the Côte de l'Ermitage.

THE FAVORITES

As always, many riders will make their debut at Besseges, including Mads Pedersen from Lidl Trek who will hunt for stages - unlikely to repeat last year's overall victory - as will his compatriot Magnus Cort from Uno-X Mobility. Among the sprinters, watch out for the "veteran" Arnaud Demare from Arkea B&B Hotels, Marijn Van de Berg from EF Education Easypost, who recently won in Spain, Paul Magnier from Soudal Quick Step, Sam Bennet from Decathlon AG2r and Arnaud De Lie from Lotto.

Among the attackers, the spotlight is on Kevin Vauquelin from Arkea B&B Hotels, already prominent last Sunday in Marseille, then Richard Carapaz and Hugh Carthy from EF, Yves Lampaert from Soudal, Oier Lazkano from Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe, all riders who, by their characteristics, could fight for the overall victory.

Italians at the start: Samuele Battistella with his new EF jersey, Mattia Cattaneo from Soudal, Salvatore Puccio and Filippo Ganna (winner of the final time trial in 2021 and 2022, when he also won the fourth stage) from Ineos Grenadiers, Giacomo Villa and Marco Tizza from Wagner Bazin WB.

THE STAGES

Wednesday 5 - Stage 1: Bellegarde – Bellegarde 159 km
Thursday 6 - Stage 2: Domessargues – Marguerittes 165.8 km
Friday 7 - Stage 3: Bessèges – Bessèges 164 km
Saturday 8 - Stage 4: Vauvert – Le Mont Bouquet 155.7 km
Sunday 9 - Stage 5: Alès – Alès 10.6 km, time trial