Friday, June 24th - Arbent – Centre nautique de Bellecin

The course, on leaving Arbent, takes us through the Plastic valley and then on to the first climb of the Forest’Cime 2022 the high coombs of the Retord plateau. The Upper Bugey is perfect for both road and off-road cycling, the countryside of forests, lakes, and picturesque mountain villages is quite simply breathtaking. The route continues into the neighbouring Ain département and the “Petite
Montagne” with, at its heart the magnificent river Ain and its source close to the small Jurassic town of Nozeroy.
Riders will enjoy the route across the Ain valley and the short climbs and cols on leaving the valley for the final climb of the 1st stage to Bellecin, nestling beside the Vouglans lake. Bellecin, a summer holiday resort, is also used by professional and national teams, such as the French rowing team, as a training base.