For the first time since 2017 – and three years since it last saw the peloton whistle past – an entire stage of the Tour de France will take place in the Dordogne département of south-west France.
On Saturday, riders will set off from Périgueux and go the long way round to Bergerac – via Thenon, Les Eyzies, Sarlat, Saint-Cyprien and Lalinde – to complete a 180.4km journey between two towns that are less than 50km apart.
The Dordogne stage. Graphic: Tour de FranceThe Tour’s long and winding and hugely popular gift-giving caravane publicitaire parade is due to set off from Périgueux at 11am, a little under two-and-a-half hours before the race proper gets under way – at 1.25pm – in the Dordogne town.
Riders are expected to pass through Thenon from 2pm, and Les Eyzies at around 2.55pm, before reaching Sarlat shortly before 3.20pm.
After the climb at Côte de Domme, the first racers should reach Saint-Cyprien – and a sprint section – at 4.05pm. Lalinde will see the riders pass through from 4.45pm. Arrival is expected at Bergerac at 5.20pm.
On Sunday, the Corrèze département hosts an entire Tour de France stage – from Malemort to Ussel – for the first time. On a day of firsts it’s also the first time the former has hosted a stage start and the first time the latter has been a finish venue.
The Corrèze stage. Graphic: Tour de FranceThe caravan is due to set off from Malemort at 11.20am, with riders following at 1.35pm for the start of a 185km breakaway route, featuring a total 3,300m of elevation gain, including some steep sections along Côte de Naves and a Suc au May – featuring a punishing 4km of racing on an 18 percent incline – Côte de la Croix du Pey and Mont Bessou.
Riders will pass through Beynat (from around 2.45pm), Tulle (3.10pm), Treignac (4.20pm), Bugeat (4.50pm) and Meymac (5.20pm) en route to Ussel for the finish from around 5.45pm – beginning a well-earned rest day after a long spell riding in punishing weather conditions.
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