Bike races Midi-Pyrénées

The first stage race of the year in the European professional calendar, in the international professional circuit UCI Europe Tour, the Étoile de Bessèges was founded in 1971 by a former cyclist in love with the Gard, Roland Fangille. In five stages, including the traditional time trial in Alès that ends at the top of the Hermitage climb, it is considered one of the preparatory races for Paris-Nice in March. A team of volunteers, in a strong family spirit, works to keep the race alive with all the passion of its creator.

The Grand Loop will take place from July 5 to 27, 2008. Like every year, it will travel through roads and passes in our region where runners will spend six days, five stages and one day of rest:

12 July: Figeac-Toulouse (174 km)

13 July: Toulouse - Bagnères de Bigorre (222 km)

14 July: Pau-Hautacam (154 km)

15 July: Rest in the Upper Pyrenees

16 July: Lanemezan-Foix (166 km)

17 July: Lavelanet-Narbonne (168 km)

The oldest critérium of France. The best of the Tour de France clash in a classic of the summer on a circuit in downtown.

International-level cyclosportive. Over 4,000 participants expected between Tarascon-sur-Ariège and Les Cabannes via the Ariège passes, Croix des Morts, Pailhères and Chioula. Four routes (from 69 km to 169 km): this year there's even the Ariègeoise XXL! Most of the three routes take place in the Pays d'Olmes, crossing the Plantaurel massif, the foothills of the Ariège Pyrenees. The 153 km Ariegeoise course has gone down in history as "La cyclosportive des Pyrénées". The finish is at Les Cabannes. The total vertical drop is 3,128 m!