The big loop will cross the Ariège down to Andorra
For the second year running, the département will not be hosting a stage. But that doesn't mean the event won't be using the department's roads.
The 2021 edition of the Grande Boucle will spend five days in the Pyrenees, from July 11 to 15. But along the route unveiled by Christian Prudhomme on November 1, there will be no Ariege resort for the peloton. No start, no finish... and yet, the riders will have to cover dozens of kilometers of Ariege asphalt. Firstly, on July 10, on stage 14 from Carcassonne to Quillan, the race will skirt the Lac de Montbel and cross the Pays d'Olmes to greet the citadel of Montségur, before heading back via Bélesta to the Plateau de Sault and on to Quillan. The following day, from Céret, the Tour will climb to Andorre la Vieille via the Col de Puymorens, just one kilometer from the southernmost tip of the département.
Rest on July 12 in the Principality, before heading back down from the Pas de la Case to St-Gaudens, with a "best of" of the Couserannes roads, between the Col de Port, Col de la Core and an exit via Portet d'Aspet.
And finally, everyone is counting on the beautiful images offered by the TV cameras, but also the flow of tourists who will come - perhaps as before? - to linger by the roadside...