Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O) have today announced the end of Critérium International, the two-day race which was first organised in 1932 and was then known as Critérium National de la Route.
A.S.O. said in a statement that the event has seen a drop-off in the size of the peloton due to the number of other events taking place at that time of the year.
Over the years it has been won by many of the biggest names in the sport. Amongst those who have taken victory are Roger Lapébie, Louison Bobet, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hibault, Laurent Fignon, Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and Miguel Indurain.
In more recent years, the race has been won by the likes of Jean-Christophe Péraud (2014 and 2015), Chris Froome (2013) and Cadel Evans (2012).
“After seven years of excellent collaboration with the city of Porto-Vecchio, host city of the 100th Tour de France in 2013, Amaury Sport Organisation and the representatives of the community have decided to not renew their agreements concerning the Critérium International,” the A.SO. said in a statement. “However, the relationships that have developed over time will continue to produce cycling related events.”
“For its part A.S.O. has taken the decision to end the organisation of the event. While the winners have been of the highest quality, the peloton has seen a drop in density, due to the number of events taking place at this time of the season.”
This year’s event held in Corsica was won by Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) ahead of Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale) and Sam Oomen (Team Giant–Alpecin). Pinot won both the individual time-trial and mountain stage with Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) winning the opening road stage.
