Stage 8 - Burgundy to Loire
Mâcon to Saint-Étienne
Another hard day in the hills. Stage 8 is 200km of constant climbing and descending. There are 7 categorised climbs (two category 3 and five category 2) and numerous smaller hills and bumps along the way.
The early part of the stage will take Tony through Beaujolais country, having quickly left the Chardonnays of Mâcconais behind. Strangely, Tony may not see as much of his beloved farm machinery here as, by law, the Gamay grapes used for Beaujolais nouveau have to be picked by hand!
Once through Beaujolais, the hills really start, with nothing between the Col de la Croix Montmain at 50km in and the finish in Saint-Étienne some 150km later that could be reasonably described as flat. Thankfully, however, there are numerous long descents.
My usual two quite interesting facts:
The early part of the stage will take Tony through Beaujolais country, having quickly left the Chardonnays of Mâcconais behind. Strangely, Tony may not see as much of his beloved farm machinery here as, by law, the Gamay grapes used for Beaujolais nouveau have to be picked by hand!
Once through Beaujolais, the hills really start, with nothing between the Col de la Croix Montmain at 50km in and the finish in Saint-Étienne some 150km later that could be reasonably described as flat. Thankfully, however, there are numerous long descents.
My usual two quite interesting facts:
- Saint-Étienne is one of only four UNESCO Creative Cities in France and the only one listed as a City of Design. It was awarded this status in 2010.
- The local football team AS Saint-Étienne have a connection to Scotland they would rather forget. Despite an enviable record of domestic success, they have only once reached a European final - the European Cup in season 1975/76 when they were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Drink of the day is Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages
Song of the day is "He's on the Phone" by Saint Etienne
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