The plain of Forez will shine this Wednesday: the fourth stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné passes by the Loire with an individual time trial between Montbrison and La Bâtie d’Urfé. The historic monument is located in the town of Saint-Étienne-le-Molard, where the peloton had already passed twice “but here, it’s something else entirely, explains Mayor Michelle Jourjon, we are really very very proud and even honored for our region, for our territory and for the department.”
With the arrival of a time trial, the show is guaranteed for the whole afternoon. “We expect a lot of people. We hope there will be a lot of people. In general, people like cycling, even if they don’t ride a bike. There are a lot of cycling enthusiasts and that also allows for those who will not be able to go there to have beautiful television images.”
Expected benefits
The mayor does not yet have a figure to reveal but expects benefits for the town and the castle. This allows “especially to associate Saint-Étienne-le-Molard with the Bâtie d’Urfé. Conversely, this is not always the case.”
The British Matthew Walls will be the first to arrive around 1:42 p.m. The Belgian yellow jersey Wout Van Aert will bring up the rear around 4:37 p.m., just after the winner of the third stage David Gaudu.