“It’s always a source of pride”: in Montagnac, the fervor for the Tour de France remains intact

Plus de 8 ans après le dernier passage. ML

Ce mardi 16 juillet, la grande boucle traverse l’Hérault d’ouest en est. Pour rallier Nîmes, les coureurs passeront dans les alentours de Montagnac, village qui avait déjà accueilli le Tour en 2011 pour un sprint.

The last time the tour passed through Montagnac was in 2016. But it was 2011 that will remain engraved in the memory of the inhabitants. The stage spanned 192.5 km and linked Limoux to Montpellier. « It’was the half-step village. There was the intermediate sprint at the entrance, then they crossed the village via avenue Emmanuel-Arnaud to leave towards Villeveyrac », remembers Frédéric Lamouroux, president of Team MAC. « There were really a lot of people. I remember the facilities, the television, the partners and sponsors of the Tour. It was a great event for cycling in Hérault. »

The return of the race

This year, 2024, the Tour riders will only touch the Montagnac village for the 16th stage between Gruissan and Nîmes. After passing Abeilhan, Alignan-du-Vent and Pézenas, they will take the D32 diversion for the first time. « For those who want to see the runners pass, I think the best thing is to go to the roundabout between the D613 and the D32, there is space and at least the cyclists slow down to turn! Because otherwise, it goes at 45km/h without forcing…hellip; », explains Frédéric Lamouroux.

« It’s always a source of pride to know that the Tour is coming to us. Especially since this year, the race is really interesting and the runners are really giving themselves , rejoices Gilles Fouga, secretary of Team MAC. « So I think they will pass quickly around the village. They will take part of the road that we take for the Montagnac race, precisely at the roundabout at the entrance to the village », develops the bike enthusiast.

With his 40 years of experience in the saddle, Gilles Fouga analyzes: « Apart from a risk border if there is wind, there are no great difficulties towards us. Temperature can also play a role. With these conditions, I think we can expect a battle of the sprinters, or a breakaway victory if a group manages to hold on at the front. ;raquo; This return of the great loop 8 years later remains an important event for the inhabitants, delighted to be on its path again.

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