Haute Route Alpe d'Huez

The Haute Route Alpe d’Huez is built of the same fabric as the Haute Route Ventoux: A more accessible race format with three timed and ranked stages based around one single host town. On top of this, the DNA of the Haute Route events remains identical with the unrivalled premium level services put in place for the riders. Hundreds of amateur riders from across the globe will be able to live like professionals for three days on one of the most iconic cols in cycling.

The inaugural Haute Route Alpe d’Huez will take place from Wednesday 12th to Friday 14th of July 2017 and will see riders cover 248km of roads through stunning scenery and climb 8,700 metres over some of the most legendary cols in cycling.

During Haute Route Alpe d’Huez the peloton of passionate cyclists from all over the world will 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 dates for the inaugural event fit perfectly into the summer cyclosportive calendar. The decision to organise the Haute Route Alpe d’Huez from the Wednesday to Friday will allow some riders to take part in other events the preceding or following weekend.

Recently voted the “Best ski resort in Europe 2017” at the annual European Best Destinations ceremony, Alpe d’Huez has a huge variety of accommodation options (hotels, holiday centres, gîtes, chalets) and high quality facilities that will enable riders to recover between each stage. Alpe d’Huez is easily accessible from airports in Lyon and Grenoble, the train station in Grenoble and via the motorway.