Etoile de Besseges, the first European stage race of the year, will have a traditional format in 2015. After a few sprint stages and a few more selective days, the race is likely to be decided in a time trial on the final day.

The organizers of Etoile de Besseges have unveiled the course for the 2015 edition. The short French stage race, the first on the European calendar, will be held from February 4 to 8 and will follow a pattern that is very similar to the one used in 2014.

The race will start in Bellegarde with a stage that should suit the sprinters and finishes in Beaucaire. A selection could take place the next day when the race offers a quite challenging ginale with several climbs before the riders reach the finish in Les Fumades. The third stage is again pretty hilly while the fourth stage should be for the fast finishers. The winner is likely to be decided in the final time trial in Ales.

Last year Tobias Ludvigsson won the race overall after having won the race against the clock on the final day.

Stages:

Stage 1: Bellegarde - Beaucaire 152 km
Stage 2: Nimes - Les Fumades 155 km
Stage 3: Bességes - Bességes 150 km
Stage 4: L'Ardoise - Laudun 150 km
Stage 5: Ales - Ales 12 km ITT