Galibier Challenge Race Report

Everyone was eagerly awaiting the return of sportives… and we can say that with the course proposed by the organization, French Alps Event managed to perfect this situation. For the main course, the Galibier, to resume competition, with before the “small” climb of Orelle, the Col de Beau Plan and the terrible and mythical Télégraphe / Galibier sequence. An enticing menu, therefore, further enhanced by a powerful sun on this June 13, 2021.

By David Polveroni – Photos: All rights reserved

The start at 8:30 am from St Michel de Maurienne saw a little over 250 riders unleashed on the Maurienne slopes. Everyone was happy to see those they hadn’t seen for several months, but also each feared climbing all the way up to 2642m.

The first kilometers and even the climb of Orelle were done with restraint. We’ll also congratulate the competitors who cut the first roundabout at the bottom! A small attack by Therisod, it seems to me, stretched the peloton at the summit of this difficulty, a few small breaks in the descent, not too technical, a small peloton of about fifty reformed in St-Michel-de-Maurienne, second passage, there remained the only valley section (5 km) and we started the Col de Beau Plan, 7.6 km at 7% average, with some flat sections and some steeper portions.

THE COL DE BEAU PLAN

After a few kilometers, I refrained from flirting with the red cursor any longer, especially as I was suffering from the jerks in the corners at the back of the group. I knew that today it would be difficult to follow the front, the level being higher than what I can do at the moment. No panic, there was still a long way to go, I shifted up a gear and resumed a steady pace with a Belgian. And yes, still many foreigners, Belgians, Dutch, who hadn’t seen mountains for several months.

A tricky descent, quite a few hairpins and small traps, but at the pace I tackled it, not too many risks in sight.

THE TELEGRAPHE, THEN THE GALIBIER 

Okay, I know it, even if on these courses when you’re not feeling great, I tell myself that not knowing it might be an advantage. I “escaped” alone and managed by feel, always keeping a small reserve. My Belgian companion must have managed differently and caught up with me at the summit after we had overtaken a few undoubtedly overconfident cyclists. The heat was persistent today, I don’t like it… From the first climb, I had the impression of drawing unnecessarily, and this amplified with the repeated efforts and the altitude approaching.

Valloire, the first ramps of Verney, Rivine, Bonnenuit, a small favorable wind (from the North) that helped with progress but reinforced the effect of the heat. We caught up with a small group including Gaillard from Grenoble, who clung to us. Still at my own pace since I’ve been alone or almost, at least catching up with riders stimulates me a little psychologically, and also never being overtaken… 

Plan Lachat: for those who don’t know it, a right turn and it’s off, at 1980 m that’s where the real Galibier begins. This first ramp hits us with the wind in our face, but some strength is still there so it passes. These small strengths, you have to keep them because there are still 8 km of a bit of asphyxiation. We’re used to the mask but still… No Zwift here, you see the summit in the distance and you’d better have managed well. That’s the case for me today, we did with what we had in our legs, 36x 21-23-25 even 28 in the last km, are in concert trying to maintain a cadence, by feel without over-exerting the legs.

3h17 and 3200 m of elevation gain, it was short and intense, not necessarily my cup of tea, but happy to finish in this breathtaking scenery. The last km is the hardest, the snow walls allow the atmosphere to cool down a bit. 

For me, it remains one of the most beautiful passes. I am often asked which pass I prefer, the most beautiful, I don’t know how to answer, all have their specificities and their history. But the Galibier: it delivers! 

Up there you can refuel and collect your bag with clothes for the descent, and then head to St-Michel-de-Maurienne where you can fill your stomach after all that effort.

A little earlier, it was GMC38 rider, a local, Antoine Boudosc who won.

Note that in parallel with the 110km course, a 35km climb of the Galibier was also offered. BRISSAUD BAPTISTE won it in 1h45.

A big bravo to the organization, to whom we have little to no criticism, so see you next year for those who don’t like flat terrain and our beautiful mountains! 

Results: https://www.l-chrono.com/resultats2021/galibier_challenge_110.pdf

Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/5462770578