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After the GFNY Alpes/Vaujany, it is now the Vaujany edition that will take place this Sunday, August 29. The name is shorter because we don’t climb to Alpe d’Huez, but the course is at least as difficult.
By David Polveroni – Photos: All rights reserved
Croix-de-Fer and Glandon will be the two obstacles to overcome before finishing in Vaujany after 118 km and 4000 m of elevation gain. The start will be neutralized from Vaujany to the Verney hydraulic dam. So, we will immediately get into the thick of it with the ascent of the Col de La Croix-de-Fer.
La Croix-de-Fer
It’s a rather atypical, irregular climb, with sometimes sustained gradients. A first section up to Rivier d’Allemont sets the tone with a little over 6 km at a gradient oscillating between 7 and 10% (more towards the end) and a few short flat sections at the beginning. After crossing the village, a short descent, not very steep at first, then with steep switchbacks, 11/13% for 1 km before resuming the climb. You need to remember these sections because this is where you’ll pass on the way back. The climb back up is severe, 11/12% for almost 1 km before rejoining the original Croix-de-Fer road, which was buried under a landslide in the early 90s, hence this descent/re-climb. It continues to climb well, 7/9% up to 1550 m of altitude. Then you find more rolling sections up to the dam. A brief respite allows you to catch your breath and overlook the dam. Remember to admire the landscape, if you’re still able to! A small descent and then you restart. A climb of about 3 km, up to the Col du Glandon, this is where you will arrive on the return. But on the climb at this point, there are precisely 2.5 km left to reach the summit of the Croix-de-Fer, which you can see from afar. And this is where this first long ascent ends.
But that doesn’t mean you should relax your efforts, and especially your attention, because the descent is narrow, winding, and the road surface is often not in good condition. Moreover, there can be a lot of traffic at this time of year. So don’t let yourself go too much. Remember to refuel.
After 7 km of descent, you cross Saint Sorlin d’Arves. A multitude of speed bumps, where you will always have to be careful, then the descent continues until the intersection with the Mollard road. There, a small climb warms up the legs or rather awakens the toxins, before plunging back into the descent to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, punctuated by another short, sharp climb before rejoining the road to La Toussuire.
Crossing Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, a short 10 km valley, where you will need to remember to refuel before tackling the second difficulty of the day, the Col du Glandon, by its most feared side, that of Saint-Étienne de Cuines.
The Col du Glandon
Again, a long climb of over 20 km here. More regular than the first, it also has its characteristics:
A first part up to Saint-Colomban-des-Villards, at a steady 7/8%, and a second part up to the pass, with the last four kilometers at an average gradient of over 10%. At 1924 m, the two big sections will be crossed. You will then take the descent of the Croix-de-Fer, which you climbed a few hours earlier. So, always pay attention to the small climb before Rivier d’Allemont, which is tough on the legs. This descent of the Croix-de-Fer is very fast in its first part, before the climb, just as in the second part, before arriving at the dam. You will need to remember to refuel, while holding your handlebars, or simply stop at the aid stations provided.
Vaujany
And then comes the climb to Vaujany, where you’ll have to empty your last reserves with 6 km at nearly 10%. Let’s hope that for this edition, the weather doesn’t spoil the party like last year. But that’s the law of the mountains… Another course is also offered, which will turn back after the first ascent of the Croix-de-Fer. However, this option will not be timed.
You have a few hours left to register: https://vaujany.gfny.com/
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