Organisers OC Sport have announced the route for the inaugural Haute Route Alpe d'Huez this July. The new three-day event will see riders cover 248km of roads through stunning scenery and climb 8,700 metres over some of the most legendary cols in cycling.
Haute Route events attract a peloton of passionate cyclists from all over the world to discover some of the most famous roads anchored in cycling folklore in the French Alps.
Race director Jean-François Alcan believes the course will challenge riders of all abilities, while also offering them the chance to enjoy some of the most spectacular countryside in world cycling.
"The course for this three-day event retains the classic Haute Route style: a time trial on the most famous road in cycling, a marathon 152km stage with 4,300m of climbing, and a shorter but just as demanding final stage on the third day," said Alcan.
"All three stages will finish in the magnificent setting atop Alpe d'Huez, climbing from Bourg d'Oisans on stage one, via Villard-Reculas on stage two and from the Col de Sarenne on the final day," he added.
Staying in one location for three days, riders will benefit from the Haute Route's signature "ride-like-a-pro" philosophy with post-ride massages, meals and briefings in Alpe d'Huez to maximise their recovery between each timed and ranked stage.
The Individual Time Trial that makes up stage one will take place on the Wednesday evening, allowing riders to arrive in Alpe d'Huez during the day for registration before taking on the 16km climb from Bourg d'Oisans with its 21 hairpin bends. Time-trialling up the most famous climb in cycling will undoubtedly provide a unique experience to kick-start the three-day event.
Haute Route rider Erica Fogg expressed her delight at summiting this climb during the 2014 Haute Route Alps: "This climb is legendary; I'd never been up it before, I can't wait to tell people that I've done it now!"
On day two, the second stage is a 152km loop that includes some of the toughest cols in the region. This challenging test will see the peloton summit the Col du Glandon, Col de la Croix de Fer and finish by climbing up to Alpe d'Huez from Villard-Reculas.
Riders will close out their three-day Haute Route experience with a short but demanding 80km third stage that has 3,260m of ascent. Highlights of the day will undoubtedly be the climb to Les Deux Alpes from les Travers and an ascent up Alpe d'Huez from the Col de Sarenne before finishing alongside the Besson lake. With riders scheduled to finish by early afternoon, they will be able to spend the afternoon celebrating their achievements and enjoying the town of Alpe d'Huez.
The scheduling of the Haute Route Alpe d'Huez from Wednesday 12th of July to Friday 14th will allow many riders to extend their stay in the Alps with other races taking place in the region around the same time.
If you're looking for the ultimate double header, Alpe d'Huez is just 80km from Briancon, the start point for the 2017 Etape du Tour on 16 July...
The final few early-bird entries for the Haute Route Alpe d'Huez are available now priced €595 + accommodation. Don't miss out on what promises to be a classic three days of great mountain road cycling!
For more details and to book your place, visit www.hauteroute.org.
Haute Route Alpe d'Huez: Stage-by-Stage
WEDNESDAY 12 JULY 2017
Stage 1: TT Bourg d'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez (16km, 1,135M+)
Col: Alpe d'Huez 1,860m
THURSDAY 13 JULY
Stage 2: Alpe d'Huez - Alpe d'Huez (152km, 4,300M+)
Cols: Glandon 1,924m, Croix de Fer 2,067m, Alpe d'Huez 1,850m
FRIDAY 14 JULY
Stage 3: Bourg d'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez (80km, 3,260M+)
Cols: Les Deux Alpes 1,652m, Sarenne 1,999m, Alpe d'Huez Lac Besson* 2,074m
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