They like riding in Picardie and not necessarily for the international acclaim of front page headlines in the world press.
The energy that riders devote to triumphing in this particular race is a reminder: cycling’s primary attraction lies in the diversity of the confrontation, the simplicity of the performance. The thrill of a sprint finish accounts for much of the appeal of the Tour de Picardie. It is of course on this race that riders are fully tried and tested in terms of fast, hardhitting encounters, in which power and agility prevail. Indeed, specialists in the discipline, whether Tom Boonen or Robert Hunter, have seized upon the opportunity provided by this magnifi cent trial run, to go on and seek out even more prestigious rolls of honour.
To appreciate the value of this competition defi nitely requires a certain fondness for perspectives. Positioned midway between the end of the great season of classics and the ultimate trial of the Tour de France, it prompts revelations and not only from elite world sprinters: the routes of Picardie also elicit top performances from fl at racers, capable of capturing a stage victory after manoeuvring long distance and well calculated attacks. Such exploits do not go unnoticed by team managers, who still have a few July bibs left to allocate. The Tour de Picardie’s capacity for revealing talent guarantees a race in which riders excel beyond their limits, and, perhaps, forge themselves a future.
Christian PRUDHOMME
Director of the Tour de France
