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More than 400 cyclists from 42 countries have started one of the most popular cycling challenges for riders worldwide: the Haute Route Alps. The 2023 edition of the circuit’s flagship event began this Sunday, August 20, from the magnificent hills of the Megève ski resort (74) and will conclude with an epic climb to Nice Castle on Saturday, August 26. In seven stages and as many days, cyclists will cross the Alps to the Mediterranean, tackling a multitude of passes regularly used by the Tour de France peloton. Among the 400 participants, 19 have also registered for the Haute Route Dolomites, a few days later in Italy, to cover five more stages in the legendary snow-capped mountains, from August 29 to September 2. Dutch cyclist Jasper Verkuijl explains how to prepare for such a race without mountains nearby.
Source: Press Release – Photo: Alps 2022 © Laurent Salino
THE COURSE
Over a course of 755,000 meters and a cumulative elevation gain of 20,100 meters, the race begins with the Col de Romme, an ascent that featured in the 8th stage of the 2021 Tour de France. Cyclists will then traverse winding Alpine passes during the first stages, passing through Alpe d’Huez, the beautiful commune of Bourg-d’Oisan, and the hairpins of the Col du Galibier. They will then (re)discover the famous “two giants,” the Col d’Izoard, used 36 times by the Tour de France, and the Col d’Agnel. The latter, which is the third highest road in the Alps, features in both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France.
Discover the stages in detail here.
FLAT-TERRAIN TRAINING
After completing the Haute Route Pyrenees and Dolomites in recent years, Jasper Verkuijl, a Dutch cyclist and father of two, is finally tackling the Haute Route Alps. The race is considered the flagship event of the Haute Route circuit, being the longest and most difficult in the series. Jasper has trained hard to prepare for it.
“To prepare for the biggest climbing races an amateur cyclist can do, I’ve always done most of my training on flat courses. A common misconception among the Dutch is that it’s productive to train in Limburg (southern Netherlands), where there are hills. But the longest climb is only a few kilometers and 100 to 130 meters of elevation. While fun, this doesn’t prepare you for something like Alpe d’Huez or the Galibier, which are an hour to an hour and a half effort. Long, steady intervals on the flat will better mimic these efforts than short, punchy climbs in Limburg or Belgium,” he explains.
HAUTE ROUTE DOLOMITES
On August 29, the “Double Crown” riders will join the approximately 385 participants of the Haute Route Dolomites, one of the most important cycling destinations in the world. The 2023 edition will make three stops in some of the region’s most beautiful towns, starting with the charming town of Bormio. Nestled in the heart of Stelvio National Park, this epic circuit will conclude in one of Italy’s most famous and luxurious resorts: Cortina d’Ampezzo. Church steeples and vast piazzas serve as the starting point for sensational routes to famous jagged rock faces, legendary ascents, and snow-capped peaks.
Learn more about the stage descriptions here.
HAUTE ROUTE 2023 CALENDAR
Haute Route Crans-Montana, June 9-11 (3 days)
Haute Route Pyrenees, July 4-8 (5 days)
Haute Route Alps, August 20-26 (7 days)
Haute Route Dolomites, August 29 – September 2 (5 days)
Haute Route Ventoux, October 6-8 (3 days)
More information on each event is available here: https://www.hauteroute.org/
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