| Date | February 5-9, 2025 |
| Start location | Bellegarde |
| Finish location | Ales |
| Distance | 655.6km |
| Previous edition | 2024 Étoile de Bessèges |
| Previous winner | Mads Pedersen |
Results
Stage 5: Kevin Vauquelin takes stage 5 time trial win to clinch overall win
Stage 4: Kevin Vauquelin takes solo victory from reduced peloton of 70
Stage 3: Arnaud De Lie takes victory amid severely reduced peloton after safety protests
Stage 2: Søren Wærenskjold surprises on stage 2
Stage 1: Paul Magnier takes stage 1 sprint win
Information
Étoile de Bessèges is a UCI 2.1-ranked stage race taking place in the Gard department of southern France.
Although many 2.1 races don't bring in many WorldTour teams, Étoile de Bessèges regularly attracts eight to ten major teams as riders need race days to get up to speed for the season and the region's mild Mediterranean climate and undulating terrain provide a perfect venue.
The 2024 race was won by Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), who won the second and fifth stages. Only four stages were contested after the opening day was cancelled due to farmer protests.
The first stages are typically for the sprinters and this year's edition is no different with a flat start in Bellegarde. Lidl-Trek return to the race with Mads Pedersen to defend his title, while Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) will be looking to add to his collection of stage wins.
Join Cyclingnews' coverage of the 2025 Étoile de Bessèges with race reports, results, photo galleries, news and race analysis.
Étoile de Bessèges start list
The up-to-date Etoile de Bessèges start list comes courtesy of FirstCycling.
| Date | Stage | Start time | Finish time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 5 | Stage 1: Bellegarde-Bellegarde, 159.5 | 12:10 CET | 15:48 CET |
| Feb 6 | Stage 2: Domessargues-Marguerittes, 165.8km | 12:10 CET | 15:51 CET |
| Feb 7 | Stage 3: Bessèges-Bessèges, 132.6 | 12:00 CET | 15:48 CET |
| Feb 8 | Stage 4: Vauvert-Le Mont Bouquet, 155.7 | 12:30 CET | 16:12 CET |
| Feb 9 | Stage 5: Alès-Alès, 10.6km | 13:15 CET | 15:50 CET |
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Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard 20255 February 2025 - 9 February 2025 | France | 2.1
Latest Content on the Race
'Not the result of a tyre or rim malfunction' - cause of Marc Brustenga's freak crash revealed
news The Spaniard walked away following crash at Étoile de Bessèges, but pulled out of the race as a precaution
Étoile de Bessèges down to 64 riders as Kern Pharma drop out over safety concerns
News Organisers praise remaining riders for 'professionalism' as CPA vow to push improved safety in smaller races through SafeR
'I decided to race on' - Arnaud De Lie on why he stayed in the Etoile de Bessèges despite cars on the road
News Lotto rider won stage 3 and offered support to the race organiser
'Unacceptable' - Chaos and protest at Etoile de Bessèges as teams quit after cars get on the course
News Soudal-QuickStep, EF Education-EasyPost and Lidl-Trek among teams to retire as stage restarts after neutralisation
Tubeless tyre blowout causes heavy crash in sprint finish at Étoile de Bessèges
news Rear tyre was ejected from the rim in the impact after Spaniard tried to ride on after hitting pothole
Filippo Ganna snatches Strava KOM from Remco Evenepoel in show of early-season form
News Italian beats the Belgian by a second on the Tarbena climb to Rates before season debut at Étoile de Bessèges
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Maxim Van Gils forced to abandon Étoile de Bessège after car driving on course causes crash
'In this race, there are cars everywhere ... it's dangerous' says team director -
Tubeless tyre blowout causes heavy crash in sprint finish at Étoile de Bessèges
Rear tyre was ejected from the rim in the impact after Spaniard tried to ride on after hitting pothole -
Filippo Ganna snatches Strava KOM from Remco Evenepoel in show of early-season form
Italian beats the Belgian by a second on the Tarbena climb to Rates before season debut at Étoile de Bessèges
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How to watch the Étoile de Bessèges - live streaming, TV channels
Watch Pedersen, De Lie, Van Gils, Bennett and more in action at five-day French race -
Riders forced to buy second-hand shoes after UCI issues late Ekoi pedal ban
UCI steps in after authorization file was yet to be validated, forcing riders to borrow pedals and buy shoes -
Juillard avoids collision with fans and car during solo detour in Etoile des Bessèges
Breakaway rider misses sharp turn after KOM summit and goes off-road - Video
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French farmer protests force cancellation of Étoile de Bessèges opener
French department asked organisers to cancel stage -
GP La Marseillaise and Étoile de Bessèges raise curtain on 2024 French road season
Double defending champion Neilson Powless not taking part in either race -
Powless says 'I've grown a lot' after first stage race win
American puts versatility on display at Étoile de Bessèges
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Étoile de Bessèges 2025 start list
Mads Pedersen returns to defend his title -
Étoile de Bessèges 2024 start list
No defending champion Powless as Bettiol takes bib #1 -
Lift-off for the 2022 European road season starts here - Preview
Six weeks of intense early-season racing will lay foundations for 2022 season -
Etoile de Bessèges 2021 - start list
Official starters as of February 2, 2021 -
10 riders to watch at Étoile de Bessèges
GC contenders, sprinters, breakaway specialists, and up-and-coming riders to keep an eye on
