36th edition from July 13 to 15, 2024
Created in 1989, the Tour de l’Ain is included in the calendar of the Union Cycliste Internationale (Class 2.1) and counts towards the UCI Europe Tour. This classification enables it to welcome some of the world’s top teams. These will be presented in June.
A special place is given to neo-pros and development teams. The Tour de l’Ain has enabled young talents such as Romain Bardet, Warren Barguil, Julian Alaphilippe, Pierre Latour and, more recently, David Gaudu to assert themselves alongside experienced riders.
The Tour de l’Ain’s short, dynamic stages, including the final stretch through the Haut-Jura, make it a sure bet on the international circuit, favoring all-rounders with proven climbing skills.
The official broadcasters are France 3 Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and Eurosport.
The race is accompanied by the U17 race welcoming some thirty teams from all over France and abroad, on the final route of the 3 “Pro” stages as well as the “Cyclosportive Lelex – Pays de Gex” The event, which is open to all, will also take place just before the professional riders take to the track on July 14. Over 600 riders are expected.
3 stages – Over 400km and 6000m ascent
For the 36th edition, the commune of Laiz (La Veyle Communauté de Communes) will host the start of the inaugural stage, where the peloton will visit the entire western side of the département, between Bresse and Dombes.
As usual, this first stage should be hotly contested, motivating the riders before two more rugged stages. Will the attackers be able to outwit the sprinters in Bourg-en-Bresse (Grand Bourg Agglomération), the prefecture of the Ain department?
From the Plaine de l’Ain through the Haut-Bugey to the Pays de Gex, the second stage of this 36th edition will be the queen stage on the national holiday. Saint-Vulbas and the resort of Lélex Monts-Jura, traditional stopover towns, are sure to see a showdown between the strongest men.
This final stage of the Aindin triptych will set off from Lagnieu (CC Plaine de l’Ain), the finish town in 2023, towards Ile Chambod (Cerdon Vallée de l’Ain). Taken twice, the final circuit features 3 climbs, including the Col du Berthiand (4.8km at 6%), and could well promise a bumpy ride and an upset in the overall standings… !
Last year, Michaël Storer (Groupama-FDJ) won the event ahead of Frenchmen Kenny Elissonde (Lidl-Trek) and Nicolas Prodhomme (Ag2r Citroën).
