The route of the 37th edition of the Tour de Moselle, which will take place from September 15 to 17, was unveiled on Wednesday evening in Thionville, by Eric Chanson, the president of CS Thionvillois, the organizing club of this traditional National Elite meeting.
The peloton will gain momentum in Escherange to reach Contz-les-Bains (142.4 km) during the first stage. A day conducive to creating gaps, with four climbs listed, including the Saint-Michel and the wall of Ottange, classified in the first category. The unprecedented arrival at the top of Stromberg, on the Luxembourg border, will inevitably complicate matters. This short climb but with high percentages will surprise more than one.
As usual, two stages will take place the next day: Terville-Tressange (85.3 km), in the morning, and Sainte-Marie-aux-Chênes – Florange (79.7 km), in the afternoon. A hilly route succeeding a flatter one to refine the general classification, where many of them are vying for the succession of Jordan Labrosse, who turned professional this summer in the ranks of the AG2R-Citroën team. The final effort to be produced will be between Marsal and Thionville (153.5 km), where the final finish is still disputed.
More requests than places available
“This year, the first difficulties will come very early in the race, from the first stage. This should liven up the event”, guesses Daniel Mezzetta, the director of the Tour de Moselle, present this summer on the roads of the Tour de France as commissioner.
Facing five ambitious Belgian teams, nine N1 teams will be present at the start, including Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme, winner of the 2023 Coupe de France, and AG2R-Citroën U23 Team, the defending champion. “It’s a sign if they come back regularly,” says Daniel Mezzetta, who receives more requests than places they have each year.
On the Lorraine side, Team Macadam’s Cowboys, for which this will be one of the last races before disappearing from the competition, will field its Moselle trio (Antoine Grimard, Lorenzo Marasco and Guillaume Stopa). ASPTT Nancy du Messin Lilian Tétart is also loyal to the Tour de Moselle, where future stars have passed, such as Thibaut Pinot or Julian Alaphilippe.
“The plateau is still raised. We want to remain an event representing a springboard for the best amateurs,” recalls Daniel Mezzetta.
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