Stage 3 of the Ain Bugey Valromey Tour 2019

It's a first in the history of the Valromey.
There have been prologues, nocturnes on Belley, team CLMs, but never daytime CLMIs. This 3rd stage, though short, will be no picnic for young riders! CLMIs are often run on fairly flat courses. Not so in this case! As soon as you've crossed the launch ramp, you'll have to cross the canal bridge to the D37/D992 junction, an 800m climb that will be hard on the legs. Then it's on to the next 4.5 km, perfectly flat except at PK 3.1 (another canal bridge). Then a slight climb up to the campsite entrance will finish off by warming up the thighs. Then comes the first ramp, 600 m long and steeply graded, to be climbed with the small plateau. The runner will have just enough time to "recover" on a flat section and a 1 km descent. After that, he'll have to continue on a very steep climb to PK 8. After this effort, you'll have to switch to a very technical descent, with restarts at PK 0.3/0.2 and a final right-hand bend 50 m from the finish line. In short, a course for a true technician and all-round rider. In the words of Bernard Hinault, "you have to start strong, work hard and finish strong".
A REAL PROGRAM!

Carlos DACRUZ & Bernard GAMBADE