Grand Tour Paris, a sportive that promises

The Île-de-France region is a true cycling heartland where major races were born, and it’s crisscrossed by thousands of cyclists every weekend. The Grand Tour Paris is a new event – or randonnée, depending on the pace you choose – that lets you discover the unexpected charm of the roads surrounding the Capital. Hurry and register, it’s from May 17 to 19!

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: @Sophie Gateau

The Paris region often has a bad reputation when it comes to cycling, especially considering the sometimes difficult coexistence with other road users. But that’s forgetting that sometimes you only need to go about forty kilometers from the center of the Capital to find yourself in the countryside, in a region with a rich cultural heritage, and on hilly or wind-swept roads that offer real sporting interest. The organizers of the Grand Tour Paris want to offer a discovery of the region’s hidden treasures. This event joins the only two sportives in the region (the Jacques Gouin on March 10 and the Vélostar on May 1, which we owe to Eric Ramos alone and his team of volunteers), and the dozens of FFC, FSGT, and UFOLEP competitions organized every weekend, but unfortunately losing momentum. The Grand Tour Paris is a randosportive, meaning it’s to be ridden at a free pace, but with timed sections to establish a ranking and offer prizes, in a fun and unpretentious spirit.

The Right Formula

This randosportive concept offers a formula that suits the greatest number of people, without neglecting the sporting aspect. Let’s first look at the mileage offered over the three days of the Grand Tour Paris: 187 km between Fontainebleau and Chantilly on Friday, May 17; 189 km between Chantilly and Dourdan on Saturday, May 20; and 164 km between Dourdan and Fontainebleau on Sunday, May 19, on roads chosen for their low traffic. An Ultra formula is even offered, with 540 km to be completed in one go and a start on May 18 from Fontainebleau, where 35 competitors are already registered. Is the Paris region flat? With 1500, 2100, and 1800 m of elevation gain over the three stages, those who discover the region will have something to say about it. As for the three Strava segments planned for each stage (two for the Climber Challenge, one for the Rouleur Challenge), they will be fully secured for all competitors who wish to go all out.

Is the Paris region flat? With 1500, 2100, and 1800 m of elevation gain over the three stages, those who discover the region will have something to say about it.

To suit everyone, starts will be given in waves (except for the Ultra), where everyone can choose their pace, each day from 8 am to 9 am, with groups riding at approximately 23 to 33 km/h. The organizers’ idea is to be able to gather a maximum number of participants at the finish line within a short period. But no pressure, as it will always be possible to switch from one group to another, which will also be led by pacers. Randosportive registration allows for no marshals and requires everyone to strictly comply with the Highway Code. Volunteers are thus mobilized for welcoming and advising participants, and ensuring the overall conviviality of the event.

A start village and a finish area are thus planned for each stage, with a coffee-truck in the morning, and themed food trucks at each finish site (crêpes/galettes in Chantilly, traditional dishes in Dourdan, and pizzas in Fontainebleau). A refreshment area is, of course, also planned mid-course.

The Spirit of the Grand Tour Paris

Among the participants, the organizer notes the planned presence of people from the Île-de-France region, but also from other provinces. And while we observe 10 to 12% female cyclists, the presence of many triathletes registered with the FFTri is also significant: according to Jean-Christophe Savignoni, President of the Organizing Committee and himself a former triathlete: “Participation in the Grand Tour Paris, on one or more stages, can indeed represent an excellent training block one month before the Nice Ironman.”

Beyond the purely sporting aspect, the event also attracts challenge enthusiasts, with a point-to-point race concept that imposes some logistical constraints.

Beyond the purely sporting aspect, the event also attracts challenge enthusiasts, with a point-to-point race concept that imposes some logistical constraints: the start and finish sites were chosen because they allow connection to the center of Paris by rail in a maximum of 40 minutes, which will offer participants the possibility of being relatively autonomous, even if the organization plans to transport bags to the finish sites. A bike storage service for the nights of May 17/18 and 18/19 is even provided. Everyone is free to return home each evening, or find accommodation nearby. Two accommodation formulas (camping or high-end hotel) are also offered, with shuttle service, bike cleaning, and massage, for those who want to experience the Grand Tour Paris in the conditions of a stage race. But it will always be possible to register at the last minute on site, in the start villages. Prices range from €49 to €99 depending on the chosen formula (one or more stages, or Ultra).

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