A charming village in the Hautes-Pyrénées, Loures-Barousse experienced a surplus of activity with the start of the third stage of the Route d’Occitanie. A boost in visibility for this small town of barely more than 600 inhabitants.
These are also the great stories of sport. On Saturday, the small town of Loures-Barousse nestled in the Comminges region shined internationally with the Route d’Occitanie. Saturday morning, in front of the church, several hundred people, from France but also from abroad like this Scottish couple, gathered in front of the podium to applaud the runners during the usual team presentation. A professional organization similar, on a smaller scale, to that of the Tour de France which will be held in the department in less than three weeks.
An unusual bustle for this small village of less than 700 inhabitants which has mobilized all its local fabric for the smooth running of this starting village. “ This race is a showcase for us and for the village which is strategic in Comminges. It is also an opportunity to strengthen the bond between everyone and to see our ability to organize an event. Through this race which is festive and popular, we must not forget, it was an opportunity for associations to come together, for local businesses to participate…,” declares the mayor of Loures-Barousse Pascale Peraldi.
A success in the organization hailed by Christian Prudhomme, the director of the Tour de France. “ There are smiles everywhere, we see that this kind of ordeal works. There is a need for this kind of race. They are the ones who allow the biggest ones to exist. They manage to organize this with much less resources, we have to take our hats off to them. »
A stage in homage to François Fortassin
Present at the start in Loures-Barousse, the boss of the Grande Boucle was there to pay a double tribute: to the organization of the race and to his friend François Fortassin, who died nine years ago. “Before coming I went to François’ grave, this was his home. Coming here is important to me, I come every chance I get. It’s a way of combining the pleasant with the pleasant (laughing)…” confides Christian Prudhomme.
A speech echoing that of the mayor of Loures-Barousse. “It’s a tribute to him yes, but for us, it’s every day. We don’t forget him, he is always there by our side. This is the valley of François Fortassin, which is why I thank Pierre Caubin for offering us the opportunity to be a departure village. »
