Mountain biking and cycle touring in
the Ariège Pyrenees

The Tour de France is often decided in the spectacular mountain stages of the Pyrenees. However for those who enjoy an easier ride, Ariège also has much to offer as most of the interesting places to visit lie along the river valleys, where the slopes are gentle. Mountain-biking, or VTT (vélo tout-terrain), is also very popular here and many tracks have been created and adapted for all levels.

Annual cycling events in Ariège

May
The Ronde de l'Isard
This five day race is open to riders between 19 and 22 years old at a level of Elite 2 national standard. The race consists of a prologue, one individual time trial, one afternoon stage and 3 full-day stages.

June
Cyclosportive l'Ariégeoise
Every summer in June the Ariège Organisation Cycliste organizes a non-competitive race starting in Tarascon that features routes for different levels of ability. For more information, visit the web site (in French and Spanish): www.cyclosport-ariegeoise.com

July
Tour de France 2012
Ariège will host a major mountain stage on July 15th.

Early October
Mémorial Fabio Casartelli
In 1995 St. Girons was the starting point for one of the stages of the Tour de France. Less than two hours later, at the col du Portet d'Aspet, the Italian rider Fabio Casartelli was fatally injured in a fall.

For 10 years starting in 1997 the cycling association of the Couserans organised each summer several days of cycling events in his memory. In 2008 the event was moved to October. The entrance fees go to a fund established by the Casartelli family in aid of professional cyclists injured in falls.