Haute Route Alpe d’Huez 2017

It might be deep winter but start making your summer cycling plans now

featured in Events reviews Author Rob Wood, Alpe d'Huez Reporter Updated 17 September 2018

We may be expecting a huge dump of snow in the next few days (see our dump alerts) but the keen cyclists amongst us are already planning our summer events and setting training programmes to suit

Well this summer the hugely popular Haute Route series of events comes to Alpe d’Huez for the first time.

The event will feature Luxembourg cycling superstar, Franck Schleck, so not only can you ride the famous 21 bends in a fantastically well organised event, but you can ride alongside a true cycling great.

The inaugural Haute Route Alpe d’Huez takes place from Wednesday 12^th to Friday 14^th July 2017. The event starts with a time trial on Wednesday afternoon, followed by two truly monumental mountain stages on Thursday and Friday.

Riders can expect to tackle a 250km route and 8000 metres of vertical gain over the 3 days.

The time trial will be a straight up race against the clock from Bourg d’Oisans up the famous 21 bends to resort – 14km, 21 switchbacks and 1 clock.

Days two and three will take in some of the biggest climbs in the area and over the 3 days each of the 3 different climbs up to resort will be taken on. Day one “the classic way” from Bourg d’Oisans, day two from Villard Reculas around the Pas De La Confession (the best view around by miles!) and day three up the Col de Sarenne (arriving at the top end of town).

This event is a real chance for cyclists to ride like the pros – service cars, massages, feed stations – just like the pro peloton.

Read more about the event and how to register. Places are limited so it pays to get in early!