VALENCE
Colombia’s “Chepe” Gonzalez inaugurated the Tour’s roll of honour in Valence after surprising the other members of a breakaway group that had broken away crossing the Vercors massif. The sprinters have subsequently dominated here, with victories for André Greipel in 2015, Peter Sagan in 2018, and Mark Cavendish in 2021. The birthplace of Charly Mottet, winner of three Tour stages and the Yellow Jersey for six days in 1987, has often hosted Paris-Nice and the Critérium du Dauphiné too. Valence also saw Romain Bardet celebrate his first professional victory, his success coming in the 2014 Drôme Classic.
- Stage town for the 5th time
- Prefecture of the department of Drôme (26)
- Population: 64,500 (Valentinois et Valentinoises)
