France 08 Apr – 11 Apr 2025 Class 2.1 – Stages – Class 1
Website https://www.regionpaysdelaloire-tour.fr/ and https://www.instagram.com/paysdelaloire/
Email laurentbspdrouault@gmail.com; sylviebspdrouault@gmail.com
While the Région Pays de la Loire as an administrative entity was created in the mid-20th century, the region is home to several long-standing and significant cycling races, each with its own history:
Major Cycling Races in the Pays de la Loire Region:
- Région Pays de la Loire Tour (formerly Circuit de la Sarthe): This is arguably the most prominent stage race in the region.
- History: It was first held in 1953 as an amateur competition. It remained an amateur event, both nationally and internationally, until 1974.
- Professional Era: In 1975, the race became an “Open” event, allowing both amateur and professional riders to participate. Notably, Bernard Hinault secured his first professional victory in this 1975 edition.
- UCI Ranking: Since 2005, it has been organized as a 2.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour. In 2022, the race was renamed the Région Pays de la Loire Tour and aimed to cross all departments of the region.
- The 2020 and 2021 editions were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A women’s edition was introduced in 2024 as a category 1.2 one-day event.
- Boucles de la Mayenne: This stage race takes place in the Mayenne department.
- History: It was created in 1975 and was initially open to amateurs.
- Professional Transition: The race gradually progressed, becoming a professional event in 2004.
- UCI Status: In 2014, it reached the UCI 2.1 category and later became part of the UCI ProSeries in 2020. The 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Route Adélie de Vitré: This is a one-day classic held in Vitré, which is geographically just outside the Pays de la Loire region but has strong ties to cycling events in the area.
- History: The race was created in 1996, replacing the Tour d’Armorique (which existed between 1980 and 1995).
- UCI Ranking: Since 2005, it has been organized as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour.
- Cholet-Pays de la Loire (formerly Grand Prix de Mauléon-Moulins/Grand Prix de Cholet-Mauléon-Moulins/Grand Prix de Cholet – Pays de Loire): This is a one-day race held in Cholet, Maine-et-Loire.
- History: The race has a history dating back to 1978 with different names over the years.
- The 2017 edition was canceled due to a conflict, and the 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Tour de Vendée: This is a one-day race held in the Vendée department.
- History: It has existed as an amateur race between 1972 and 1979.
- UCI Status: From 2005 to 2009, it was a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour, and in 2010, it became a 1.HC classified race. It is also part of the Coupe de France de cyclisme sur route.
- Nantes-Segré: This is a one-day race held between Petit-Mars (Loire-Atlantique) and Segré (Maine-et-Loire).
- History: Created in 1980, this race is part of the national calendar of the French Cycling Federation. In 2020, it was promoted to the Coupe de France DN1 calendar, although the edition was initially canceled and later rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other Cycling Connections:
The Pays de la Loire region also has a strong connection to the Tour de France, having hosted the “Grand Départ” (the start of the Tour) multiple times in the Vendée department.
These races demonstrate a rich and enduring cycling tradition within the Pays de la Loire region, even though the administrative region itself is a more recent creation. Each race has its own unique history and contributes to the vibrant cycling culture of France.
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