On 16 July 2003, BAR F1 test driver Takuma Sato take part in L’Étape du Tour, which lets amateurs ride the exact parcours of a Tour de France stage. The 2003 edition took place during the pros’ rest day, and follow the route of stage 16 between Pau and Bayonne.
-11th edition
-Location: Pyrénées
-Departments crossed: Pyrénées Atlantiques (64)
-Km: 201,9
-Difficulties: Col du Soudet, Col de Larrau, Col de Bagargui, Col de Burdincurutcheta.
-Number of entries: 8 500
-Numbers of finishers: 6 388
-The line-up:
Miguel Indurain quintuple winner of the Tour de France who came to celebrate his birthday on the race.
Alain Prost former Formula 1 driver and quadruple World Champion.
Pierre Berbizier former captain then selector for the XV France team.
Abraham Olano former team member of the ONCE – EROSKI team between 1999 and 2002 and World road Champion in 1995, winner of the 20th stage of the 1997 Tour de France.
Sylvain Guillaume Scandinavian Combined Silver Medal at the Albertville Olympic Games.
Takuma SATO Japanese Formula 3 Champion.
Emmanuel Clerico former F3 Champion of France and F3000 World Champion.
Fabrice Guy Scandinavian Combined Gold Medal at the Albertville Olympic Games.
(From: https://www.letapedutourdefrance.com/en/event/presentation )
This clip is from 2003 documentary The path chosen by Takuma Sato ～Road to 2004～ (佐藤琢磨の選んだ道 ～Road to 2004～): https://youtu.be/mNq3Un4PuCk
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