Presentation of the Tour de la Vanoise, a 320 or 400 km Ultra event on July 3rd

While Tour du Mont Blanc enthusiasts won’t be satisfied this season, some can turn to a new event: the Tour de la Vanoise, but that’s not all! Indeed, for those who had planned the Marmotte, postponed to September, several routes will be offered this Saturday, July 3, in Vanoise at Val Thorens and Bessans. For this ultra-endurance event, we decided to present it and break it down into three parts. To finish this kind of event, you need to know how to set psychological milestones…

https://www.facebook.com/100920435273325/videos/173492861408810

Part One: Val Thorens – Maurienne

Starting from Val Thorens, there will be the flagship route, 320 km with an announced 8800 m of elevation gain, and the 400 km with 11,500 m of elevation gain, quite a feat!

Departure at 5:30 AM, the long descent to Moutiers, then La Léchère before tackling the first difficulty: the Col de La Madeleine. Long, almost 25 km, with a flat section halfway up, it reaches almost 2000 m of altitude. It’s a classic of the Tour de France. The slopes are sometimes steep, especially at the bottom where you flirt with 10% up to Bonneval. The last part after Cellier is also complicated due to its length and sometimes the wind; it’s very exposed here.

The descent via Saint-Francois-Longchamp is fast. We then quickly move on to the Chaussy. A beautiful pass about ten kilometers long, also with many changes in gradient. I remember some nice hairpin ramps at the beginning, and a steep finish after a short descent. At the Col du Chaussy, at 1533 m altitude, we can already say that the first part is accomplished.

Descending to Hermillon, passing near Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, we then climb the valley of the same name to reach one of the giants of the Alps: the Col de l’Iseran.

Part Two: the roof of the event – the Iseran

Crossing Modane, after passing through the small climb of Orelle, we will go through Aussois, a climb I don’t know. We arrive at Valcenis. We have been climbing since Saint-Jean, a ramp in the village takes us to Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis, the foot of the pass of the same name, and we slowly head towards the true beginning of the Col de L’Iseran, at Bonneval-sur-Arc, after crossing Bessans.

This is therefore a tiring section, especially since the wind is often present in this valley. A little over 70 km for a little over 1000 m of elevation gain. Approaching this section well is essential; you should try to stay with a small group.

It is in Bessans that the 139 km sportive route will start, to complete the end of the Ultra route. So, 139 km will remain.

Crossing Bonneval, a left turn and off we go… We pass the 2000-meter mark, each pedal stroke feels heavy, no need to push too hard, you have to manage it, it’s still long. 13 km with some changes in gradient that feel good. The last two kilometers are really difficult, especially the penultimate one, from memory, after a flat section and passing under a small tunnel.

Up there at 2764 m, you have to remember to enjoy these unique landscapes, just like in Bonneval; truly, few routes use this pass. I crossed it in a race at the Haute Route in 2013, with a chilly 0°C up there. Also, be careful to plan your outfits according to the weather; you can go from 30°C in Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne to very little at the summit of the Iseran… Remember the Tour de France in 2019…

We pass through Tignes, then head towards Sainte-Foy-de-Tarentaise, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. This is not a section I enjoy, with a lot of traffic, but we will have to go through it and therefore remain vigilant, as fatigue will start to set in.

Third and final part: Col du Pré and the climb to Val Thorens.

In Bourg, we rejoin the route of the 2019 Étape du Tour sportive, the climb of Longefoy and towards the Col du Pré. Not very difficult, but the legs will start to stiffen; you will need to have managed your effort well.

We will arrive in Moutiers; the 400 km route will go to Meribel and the Col de la Loze, descend to Courchevel to return to Moutiers, at the foot of the ultimate and interminable climb to Val Thorens, with 31 km for 1720 m of elevation gain… That’s almost the equivalent of a Galibier from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne. Well, suffice to say that the finish should not be a sprint.

Based on this route, it is possible to do it as a duo where the relay will be in Bessans, where the 139 km and 4000 m route, which is more like what we know in sportives, will start.

We wish all participants much courage and to keep their spirits up.

Below you will find more practical information from the organizer, Florian Hudry, who managed to set up these beautiful events, which is noteworthy, especially in these difficult times…

Contact and practical info: ultra-cycling-tour-de-la-vanoise.com

https://www.facebook.com/Ultra-Cycling-Tour-de-la-Vanoise-100920435273325/

See all our articlesNews