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James Moultrie

'We had things to change' –After cars on course and team withdrawals last season, French race Étoile de Bessèges promises strengthened security measures in 2026

BESSEGES, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 07: The peloton negotiating with the UCI commissaires about the resumption of the race due to adverse weather conditions during the 55th Etoile de Besseges - Tour du Gard 2025, Stage 3 a 164.05km stage from Besseges to Besseges on February 07, 2025 in Besseges, France. (Photo by Billy Ceusters/Getty Images).

After cars got on the race course and chaos descended on last year's Étoile de Bessèges, with several leading teams pulling out, the organisers of the small French race have strengthened security efforts for 2026, albeit with a hit to the start list quality.

The 2.1 race in southern France had a warning sign on stage 2 in 2025 when a driver entered the course and caused Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) to crash after reversing away from the peloton.

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