Stage 1

The opening stage, or “étape”, on Sunday 25th April 2010 will be a 150 km route of 10 laps of 15 km, taking place on Jersey's east coast. The Race Director has deemed the stage “challenging” as it includes a climb from sea level to over 100 metres.   The 150 km of 10 km laps starts on the main road on Gorey common tracing through Gorey and beneath Mont Orgueil Castle along the coast road, turning westward to St Martin and back along La Grande Route de Faldouet turning up past Queens Valley toward La Hougue Bie across the B46 returning to Gorey on the A3.

Stage 1 Profile

(Click image to view larger size image of stage profile)

What is a stage race?

A stage race as it is known in cycling, is a multi stage event that can consist of point to point stages, circuit races and time trials. The rider with the lowest accumulated time is declared the overall winner. A rider does not have to win all or any of the stages for that matter to win the race overall.

What is the road race course and where should I watch the race?

Magnus Backstedts Course Review

Road Race course

Stage Start: 13:30
Estimated Finish Time: 16:45

The road race course for the first stage on Jersey is a very interesting one. This could turn out to be much tougher than most riders expect it will be.

At a first glance it looks very flat, but when you start adding up all the little climbs and the fairly big climb half way round the course, you will have almost 2000m of altitude to climb.

No doubt this will catch a few by surprise and as it is the first day of racing some might not have their legs working 100% just yet.

The main points for spectators will be start/finish area with all of the activities available there.

Some of the more interesting points will be from St Martin's Church at the top of the hill. Because of the climb you will have plenty of time to go see the riders go past and most likely you will see the winning move if there is one, being made on this hill as well.

If you are a bit more of a speed demon and like the fast technical stuff, I would suggest getting to Grouville Parish. There are some very technical turns that will be taken at high speed.

Another great point would be at Gorey harbour. Sit back have a drink in one of the many coffee shops or bars and watch the riders swing past you.

Riders to watch

Laurent Pichon  (FRA) Bretagne Schuller
Jonathan Thire (FRA) BIG MAT-AUBER 93
Andrew Tennant (GB) Great Britain National Team
Kristian House (GB) Rapha-Sharp
Tobyn Horton (GB) Team Sprocket
Alex Candelario (USA) Kelly Benefits Strategies
Nahir Haddou (FRA) BIG MAT-AUBER 93
Alexander Mironov (ITERA-Katusha)

Free Bus Travel to Stage 1

Transport and Technical Services (TTS) and Connex Transport Jersey Ltd will be running a ‘free bus day’ on Sunday 25 April 2010 to encourage more people to view bus travel as a good alternative to taking the car. The initiative has also been planned to coincide with Stage 1 of the Tour de Bretagne.

Free buses to the cycle race area in Gorey will ensure that you see the race without worrying about finding parking.  The entire Island bus network, including the myExplorer services, will be free that day so it won’t just be cycling enthusiasts who will benefit.

Connex Managing Director Eric Le Roux added: ‘We are very excited about this opportunity. We are aware that there are several events taking place on 25 April – the Tour de Bretagne cycle race at Gorey and the Connex RCIYC Spring Regatta in St Aubin’s Bay – being two of them. We are very hopeful that the free bus day will provide extra support to these events.’

For timetable information, please visit www.mybus.je. Route diversions and timetables for Tour de Bretagne will be published in a supplement in the JEP on 21 April or can be downloaded here as a PDF.