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HIGHLIGHTS - 1996
 
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 4th edition - Wednesday 10th July 1996 ~ LE PUY EN VELAY > SUPERBESSE 


 Location: Auvergne

 Departments crossed: Haute Loire (43) - Puy de Dôme (69)

 Km: 183



 Difficulties: Col des fourches, Col de Toutée, Côte de Saint Anastaise, Col de Superbesse

 Number of registered participants: 5 568

 Numbers of finishers: 4 550

 Finish: Superbesse

 Weather: Rain at the start, cool with snow the day before the race.

 Race celebrities
A. Prost, Ph. Alliot, P. Belmondo, Ch. Sarron, B. Darniche

 Winner
~ Men: Frédéric Bessy born 09/01/72
~ Women: Laure Russias born 05/07/70

 Participating countries: Germany, England, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, The United States, Australia, Japan, South Africa.
TOTAL : 218 foreign participants.

 Anecdotes
~ Laurent Jalabert is the event's patron.
~ A first: the reception village is located at the heart of the town, overlooked by the red virgin and open for the first time 2 days in succession.
~ The event takes place in perfect harmony with the region. For example, many competitors were accommondated locally.
~ The Saint Anastaise hill proved too much for the main body of riders - many had to put their feet to the ground to proceed.
~ A sumptuous finish in Superbesse after a tight bend. This last climb was special given that the road was split in two by miles of barriers.

 Quotes
~ Patrick François, jersey no. 64
« At 48, if you want to stay with the best of them, you've got to watch your preparation. No more restaurants for me! I can't wait to join my pals and have a drink together. There's cycling and there's cycling… »

~ Bruno Alquinet, jersey no. 499
« This year's stage was more within reach of most competitors - nice scenery, very well organized, no cars coming the other way… »

~ Alain Hamann, jersey no. 321
« Tough finish. This morning was like going to a school exam. I reckon I just scraped a pass. Full marks for the organization. Now school's over. »

~ Pierre Tronc, jersey no. 140
« Not as tough as last year but still no easy matter. The Saint Anastaise hill, oh! la la! »

~ Jacqueline Peyrard, jersey no. 2709
« I know the area - I'm from round here. I'm glad I made it to the finish. It was great. Now I've got to ride home 50km away. My husband was supposed to come and fetch me, but he's in a meeting. »
 
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