The 12th stage of the Tour de France 2022 takes place this Thursday July 14 between Briançon and Alpe d’Huez. After a crazy stage arriving at the Col du Granon the day before, the riders will set off around 1:05 p.m. (fictitious start and 1:20 p.m. for the start) with the program of the ascent of the Col du Galibier then the climb of La Croix-de-Fer. France Blue Provence brings you those moments before the kick-off of the 12th stage, live from the departure village since 9 a.m. this Thursday with Kevin Colloc.
Highlight local characters and products
Ready to leave before the others: those who are mobilized in the famous tour caravan, like Anaïs, from Val-des-Près, who is part of the Domitys caravan, for the first time. Before setting off at 11.30 a.m., the young woman, host at the Aiglons Blancs residence in Briançon, expects “a magical day, in addition in the city of Briançon where I live“.
The Tour de France is also an opportunity to discover the local terroirsuch as the products of Aurélie, of the Pressoir de la Roche-de-Rame: “We can talk about pride, I try to use fruits from the territory of the Hautes-Alpes, I make fruit juices in an artisanal way and transformed on site in short circuits“.
Large companies rub shoulders with these small producers, such as the Sodexo, a partner of the Tour for 30 years, the “Tour de France canteen” explains its representative Laurent Etienne. the Sodexo”feeds feeds 4,000 people on the Tour de France every day: breakfasts at the opening of the village, non-alcoholic aperitifs at the start village, stage relays are provided, but also glasses of champagne and tastings on arrival for introduce local products to the public. In the Hautes-Alpes, for example, we ate crozets, stares with jams, charcuterie and local cheeses“.
The Tour caravan that attracts, including this family from Beausset in the Var and who did not hesitate to travel 300 km to “come and see the dad who is part of the Tour de France“. Jean-Claude and Murielle were present well before the opening of the departure village so as not to miss this moment. The family will not leave immediately, they want “stay all weekend, to enjoy the region“.
– Kevin Colloc
An “honor” for the mayor of Briançon
This is the 35th time in its history, Briançon has become a stopover town. This is an extremely strong moment for Arnaud Murgia. “Briançon, departure city for July 14, it’s an incredible honor for our city“, recognizes the mayor of Briançon on France Bleu Provence. After the organization of the stage of the Tour reserved for 16,000 amateurs on July 10, it is this time 230 volunteers who are mobilized in Briançon for the start of the 12th stage this Thursday and “we would do absolutely nothing without them“, underlines the chosen one.
_”Over the long term, all of this serves us enormously (…) we must capitalize on it”-_Arnaud Murgia, Mayor of Briançon on France Bleu Provence
A start in Briançon is also a great showcase for the city but more broadly for the whole valley. Those are 500,000 euros who have been invested in hosting the Tour, with no regrets for Arnaud Murgia: “it is highly profitable, about 10 times more. all the accommodations are full, almost since the day the stage was announced (…) all of our commercial and entrepreneurial fabric will work in an incredible way“. Fallout in terms of image also: “cThere are millions of people who saw the Col du Granon yesterday on TV and who will want to come back. This morning is the Collegiate Church of Briançon listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that millions of people will see and I hope it will make them want to visit us (…) we must all be proud of it“. Arnaud Murgia is convinced that “over the long term, all of this is very useful to us (…) we must capitalize on this in the long term“.
The times of the peloton
- The departure will be given from Briançon at 1.20 p.m. (fictitious departure at 1.05 p.m.).
- The crossing at the top of the Col du Galibier is expected around 2:15 p.m., that of the Col de la Croix de Fer at 4:24 p.m., with between the two a passage at Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne around 3:34 p.m.
- The arrival in Alpe d’Huez is expected around 5:55 p.m.