The Ariégeoise, cyclosportive race

In this year 2024, the Ariégeoise Cyclosportive has decided to tackle a unique climb: the Plateau de Bonascre!
The Bonascre Plateau (1373 m), known by the thousands of skiers who visit the Ax-3Domaines resort every winter, was highlighted in terms of cycling sport, with the arrival of the Tour de France for the first time in 2001 But it was only in 2003 that the organizers of the Tour decided to precede this arrival at the summit, the Port of Pailhères and its 2001 m altitude crossed for the very first time by a grand Tour...

It is this last version at the end of the stage which will be “served to you on a platter” during the next edition of the Ariégeoise… A play on words certainly easy to write, but oh so trying to do on a bike! Imagine a little: you will have to complete the 15.3 km at 7.9% average from the Port of Pailhères, before descending "full iron" to Ax-Les-Thermes and attacking without any downtime the 8.2 km of ascent of the Bonascre plateau, at 8.2% on average!

If I summarize: In the last 50 kilometers of this Ariégeoise, half will be devoted to climbing at more than 8% on average for 1900 m of positive altitude difference: A real construction site, knowing that there is not a single drop of dish!

Let's now come to the start of the circuit proposed in 2024: The warm-up will be short-lived! From Km 14, we get to the heart of the matter: A sequence of Col de la Lauze, Col de Montségur then Col de la Croix des Morts, to begin to wear out the organisms and make a first selection... Crossing the Plateau de Sault and descent in the Aude gorges to take a breather, before tackling the infernal duo represented by the Port de Pailhères and Plateau de Bonascre.

Good luck, friends... We will be there, like every year, to encourage you and help you overcome the ordeal!

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