The Jura massif and a high level Tour de l’Ain, the new test of the Kometa-Xstra
32nd Tour de l’Ain
From 7 to 9 August
A stage, on Sunday, to decide a race. The Jura Massif is looking particularly bright in the Tour de l’Ain, the race that is devoted to its orographic difficulties. In an atypical 2020, with the race located in a privileged position in the calendar that has still required some adaptation of dates, the organization modified the route initially planned to dispute a day very similar to the fifteenth stage of the Tour de France 2020. The stage in l’Ain will be one of the key days of the next round. A praise to the Jura massif with the passes through the Montée de la Selle de Fromentelle (11 km at 8.5%), the Col de la Biche (6.4 km at 8.9%) and the final climb to the Grand Colombier.
The Hungarian Márton Dina and the Andalusian Sergio García are two good climbers who have a great opportunity to show their skills in the mountains. Both of them are coming with good performances in their last races: Dina, after not being able to explore her options to fight for a good final classification in Burgos, let herself be seen on the way to the Picón Blanco; García, on the other hand, stood out this Sunday in the Circuito de Getxo. The Hungarian Erik Fetter, another rider who climbs very well, will also participate in the Gala event. The Italians Giacomo Garavaglia and Antonio Puppio and the Portuguese Daniel Viegas complete the ‘six’ with which the Kometa-Xstra Cycling Team is presented at the start line of the French event.
Erik Fetter: “I’m looking forward to participating in this race, because it will be my first competition after this long break without competitions. I checked the start list and it’s going to be my toughest race yet, I think. But I worked very hard during these months, so I hope to be able to face some of the great stars of our sport. The route could be perfect for me, because the difficulty will increase, and normally my performance will improve every day. I can’t wait to see how I perform and experience a real race again”.
Giacomo Garavaglia, for his part, reflects: “The Tour de l’Ain is a very high level race, there will be a lot of quality given the large number of WorldTour formations participating. The first stage is easier, while the last two are really difficult. I think it’s a good test bench where you can test yourself and evaluate your physical condition. I have just finished a mountain training block in Livigno and both physically and mentally I am very well. I’m very focused. I can’t wait to put the bib back on”.
L’Ain has become a regular race on the calendar of the Alberto Contador Foundation’s continental structure, a race in which he has been present for the past two seasons. Luxembourg’s Michel Ries finished eleventh in 2018. Juan Pedro López, fourteenth in 2019.
The stages.
7 August: Montréal-la-Cluse > Ceyzériat (139.5 km).
8th August: Lagnieu > Lélex Monts-Jura (140.1 km).
9 August : Saint-Vulbas > Grand Colombier (143.1 km).
