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Cycling is your passion?
Join us and experience the Tour de France like never before!
Come to the 102nd edition of La Grande Boucle
Pyrenean Stages
From Monday July 13th until Thursday July 16th, 2015
Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
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2015
Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Pyrenean Stages
From Monday July 13th until Thursday July 16th, 2015
LIVE YOUR PASSION FOR CYCLING ON OUR TOURS,
YOU ARE MORE THAN JUST A SPECTATOR
4 days, 3 nights in a 3* hotel on half-board basis
Start: Pau, Finish: Pau
Tour de France viewings: 3
Staff: 3
It can still surprise!The 2015 Tour de France route was designed with the intention of breaking
away fromtradition. The plains, mountains and time trial are clearly included in the 102th
edition... but in unprecedented proportions and with nuances susceptible of upsetting preestablished plans.
For its102th edition, the Tour de France offers its riders a challenge that invites daring and will leave its
television viewers in a state of uncertainty regarding the scenarios to consider. The premise of suspense
and indecision has indeed been favored; the questioning of non-written regulations that can often
weigh on the race is gone. Also, the riders will only have 14 kilometers of individual time trial to show
their stuff, making it the shortest distance since its systematic inclusion in 1947. ”The desire is to not
hold up the race”, said Christian Prudhomme, getting rid of rules and dogmas of all kinds. When the
first portion of the 2015 Tour takes the peloton from Utrecht and The Netherlands to the heart of
Brittany, passing by the landmarks of the Spring Classics or along the Normandy coast, the Tour boss
sees much more than a long week of flatlands: “Do not imagine that it will be a nagging procession.
With arrivals like the „Mur de Huy', the Paris-Roubaix cobblestones, Mûr de Bretagne or even the
atypical team trial at Plumelec, the Tour de France can be played out anywhere”.
During the Pyrenean Stages fo the Tour, our trip will enable you to fully enjoy the excitement and the
spectacle that the Tour de France. We take you into the heart of the Tour with the knowledge and
experience that can only be provided by a former Tour rider. Ronan Pensec was a professional rider for
13 years and finished the Tour 9 times. He wore the Yellow Jersey in 1990 and went on to help his
team mate Greg Lemond win his third Tour. Rona has now been involved in the Tour for 30 years.
The week you will experience will be spectacular and rich in emotion as you will not only challenge
yourself, but you will also be in the heat of the Tour action. This tour package, assembled by Ronan
Pensec, will provide you with an unbeatable experience.
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Highlights:
 Climb the mythical Col du Tourmalet and experience the crowd‟s enthusiast
cheering
 Ride on the picturesque routes of the Pyrénées
 Watch the spectacle of the Publicity Caravan
 Attend the finish of stage 10 in La Pierre Saint Martin
 Attend the start of stage 12 in Lannemezan
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
The Tour de France stages you will see:
Tuesday July 14th, 2015:
Stage 10: Tarbes / La Pierre Saint Martin = 167 km (103 miles)
Wednesday July 15th, 2015:
Stage 11: Pau / Cauterets = 188 km (116 miles)
Thursday July 16th, 2015:
Stage 12: Lannemezan / Plateau de Beille= 195 km (195 miles)
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2015
Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
YOUR TRAVEL:
Please arrange your flights into the following airport: Pay-Pyrénées(http://www.pau.aeroport.fr/)
The following companies operate regular flights into Pau-Pyrénées :
-
Air France (www.airfrance.fr) from Paris
HOP! (www.hop.fr) from Lyon
Flights are going to be in very high demand and there will be limited space for bikes on each flight.
Please make sure to book your bike onto the flight and to book early in order to secure your seat and
get the best fares.
Our guide will meet you at the airport and a coach will take you to your first hotel in Bagnères de
Bigorre.
Pau airport / Bagnères de Bigorre – Vallée de Lesponne : 78 km (48 miles) / 1h33min
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Monday July 13th: Day 1
Tour de France: Journée de repos.
Group: Arrival at Pau airport and transfer to the hotel
Hotel: 3* Domaine de Ramonjuan in Bagnères de Bigorre for 3 nights
Bienvenue dans les Pyrénées!
Our guide will meet you at Pau-Pyrénées airport around 11:00am and will accompany you druing
your transfer to the hotel: 3* Domaine de Ramonjuan.
Bagnères-de-Bigorreis located in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées, at an altitude of 550 meters, at
the foot of Pic du Midi of the legendary Col d‟Aspin and Col du Tourmalet. The town is the first
thermal resort of the department and welcomes more than 8 000 patients every year.
Bagnères and its characteristic architecture of spa towns are surrounded with a case of protected
nature. This environment in which continues a traditional agriculture gathers multiple possibilities of
sports and family activities.
Bagnères de Bigorre offers every year unavoidable sports and cultural events: festivals, concerts,
theater… but also the Tour de France, tennis tournaments or rugby games.
.
Bagnères de Bigorre
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Your hotel:
At the foot of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and the resort of Tourmalet, Ramonjuan is situated at a
height of 800m in a picturesque Pyrenean valley beside the Adour river. An authentic restored and
renovated mountain farm, Ramonjuan has become in a few years a charming hotel complex offering
the features of a traditional mountain hamlet in the depths of the countryside.
This group of buildings set in its own extensive grounds includes a country hotel, self-catering
accommodation, meeting rooms and sporting facilities and activities.
Here everyone chooses their own pace, and when evening comes those who have hiked to the Lac
Bleu, relaxed in a deck chair or indulged their enthusiasm for sport will share the simple pleasure of
socializing around the open wood fire.
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Once you have checked in, you will have the time to go for an easy ride that will give you a taste of the
delights that are in store for you in the next days.
In the evening, you will gather over a welcoming cocktail with your travelling companions, before
enjoying your first meal.
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Tuesday, July 14th: Day 2
Tour de France:Stage10: Tarbes / La Pierre Saint Martin167 km (103 miles)
Group:Final climb to La Pierre Saint Martin
Hotel:3* Domaine de Ramonjuan
After a well-deserved rest day, the change of scenery will be especially contrasted. The finish
will be decided on a newcoming site, at La Pierre-Saint-Martin in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques
area. The final ascent is demanding: the favourites of the Tour will be on the first lines,
especially before the Col de Soudet where the climb is the steepest.
Christian Prudhomme’s comment
After breakfast, our coach will take you to the route of the Tour in Oloron Sainte Marie. From
there, you will take your bike to start the final climb towards La Pierre Saint Martin on a distance
covering 42 km (26 miles).
La Pierre Saint Martin will be the first mountain stage of “Grande Boucle”. The announcement of
the passage of Le Tour aroused a big enthusiasm in the area, as much in the resort as in Arette, 15
kilometers below. About fifteen riders having participated in the Tour de France are native of the
valley of Barétous. The top of the mountain will be a very beautiful place from where to watch the
race. You will be able to blend in with the enthusiastic crowd while waiting for the passage of the
publicity caravan and the riders.
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Once the riders have passed by, we will ride down the mountain by bike to get to the bus waiting to
drive us back to the hotel.
Dinner will be the occasion to exchange your impressions about this first day.
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Wednesday July 15th: Day 3
Tour de France:Stage 11: Pau / Cauterets Vallée de Saint Savin 188 km (116 miles)
Group:Ride on the mythical road to Le Tourmalet and watch the Tour from our private viewing point.
Hotel:3* Domaine de Ramonjuan
At the heart of the three-day Pyrenees chapter of the Tour, the Col d'Aspin and the Tourmalet
will have to be climbed by the peloton on the way to Cauterets - Vallée de Saint-Savin. The
stage could give riders having struggled on the previous day a good opportunity to hit back
and move back up the GC.
Christian Prudhomme’s comment
After breakfast, we will leave the hotel by bike to head for Saint Marie de Campan at the foot of Col du
Tourmalet on the route of the Tour de France. This is the stage you do not want to miss in any case,
the stage about which you will later say: “I was there”.
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Riding this mountain stage
ahead of time will give you
another
opportunity
to
experience the same “Tour
de France” atmosphere as
the pros do. You will enjoy
the
fanfare
and
good-
natured encouragement of
the crowd, some of whom
have been packed there for
days in advance.
Our meeting point during this stage will be in La Mongie, approximately 5 km from the Col du
Tourmalet. There we will set up a private viewing point from where you will be able to relax after
today‟s ride and enjoy under our Ronan Pensec Travel tents some food and drinks provided by a local
caterer.
Once the Tour has passed by we will head down by bike back to the hotel before we gather together
again around the dinner table.
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Thursday July 16th: Day 4
Tour de France: Etape 12: Lannemezan / Plateau de Beille
Group: Attend the start of the stage / transfer to Pau airport
Whatever the situation in the leading positions of the general classification, the rivals of the
Yellow Jersey will really have a good opportunity to challenge him. Frightful, the climb to the
Plateau de Beille is made for pure climbers. Laurent Fignon used to say that the less prepared
struggle on the third day in the mountains.
Christian Prudhomme’s comment
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel by bus to head for the start of the 12th stage.
Here you will be able to see the team buses, the equipment, and the riders warming up. You will
approach your favorite riders and, who knows, maybe will they agree to take a picture with you or sign
an autograph for you…
.
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
Once the riders have crossed the starting line, our staff will drive you back to Pau airport as it will
already be time to head home. Your guides will be available to help you, should you have any question
or request, and to wish you a nice trip back home.
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Tour de France 102nd edition - Pyrenean Stages
2015
PRICES:
Pyrenean Stages package (Room sharing in twin or double): Euros 990, 00(all taxes and fees
included)
Pyrenean Stages package (Single room): Euros 1 185, 00 (all taxes and fees included)
o Deposit to secure this tour: 35 % of the total amount.
st
o Outstanding balance between May 1 and May 15th 2015.
o For payment by installments, contact us at [email protected]
The price includes:
o Accommodation for 4 nights in a 3 star hotel: double/twin rooms with private
bathroom including toilets, and a tub and/or a shower
o 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners (drinks: wine and water included for each dinner)
o 2 English-speaking and certified support riders who will accompany
the group during the whole trip
o 1 Support vehicle with 1 RPT professionally trained mechanic, and 1 coach driver
o Accident and repatriation insurance
o Daily travel in a luxury private coach
o Daily luggage transportation
o Special bikes‟ trailer for the safe transport of your bikes
o Ronan Pensec Travel road book with detailed maps and daily stage routes
o Tour de France backpack with Ronan Pensec Travel cycling jersey & travel T-shirt
o Local taxes
The price does not include:
o
o
o
o
Airfare.
Cancellation, theft of material and luggage insurances
Lunches (except on Day 3)
Personalexpenses, aperitifs
NOTE: Ronan Pensec Travel reserves the right to withdraw or modify tours, itineraries, programs, sports
activities or facilities at anytime without notice and without liability. In the event of force majeure, including but
not limited to strikes, lockouts, riots, weather conditions, technical difficulties or for any other reason
whatsoever, Ronan Pensec Travel and the operators may at any time and without prior notice, cancel,
advance, postpone or deviate from any vacation package and shall not be obliged for any loss whatsoever to
any member by reason of such cancellation, advancement, postponement, deviation or substitution.
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