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La Plagne continues its commitment to cycling with the launch of “L’Échappée plagnarde,” a new cycling event scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2026. Following the enthusiasm generated by the Etape du Tour and Tour de France finishes in the summer of 2025, the Savoyard resort intends to build on this legacy to enhance its appeal to cycling enthusiasts.
Source: Press Release
This inaugural edition will feature a non-timed ride on open roads, accessible to cyclists of all skill levels. Participants will also be able to ride electric-assist bicycles. Listed on the French Cycling Federation’s calendar, the event will showcase the region’s iconic roads, including the 21 turns of the La Plagne climb, the Versant du Soleil scenic route, and the Notre-Dame-du-Pré climb.
Four Routes to Explore the Region
The organizers have designed four routes ranging from 37 to 108 kilometers:
- 37 km with 905 m of elevation gain (excluding the climb to La Plagne)
- 55 km and 2,290 m of elevation gain (open to participants ages 8 and up)
- 76 km and 2,877 m of elevation gain (for ages 14 and up)
- 108 km and 3,709 m of elevation gain (for ages 14 and up)
The goal is to allow everyone—from casual cyclists to experienced riders—to enjoy the valley’s landscapes and mountain passes.
Making the valley a summer cycling destination
For Thomas Saison, Executive Director of the La Grande Plagne Tourist Office, this new event is part of a broader strategy aimed at promoting cycling during the summer season.
The destination has a long-standing connection to cycling and mountain biking. As early as the 1980s, La Plagne was involved in the first mountain biking experiments in France. After a period when road cycling was less prominent, the return of the Tour de France reignited interest in the climb up to La Plagne, considered one of the iconic ascents of the Alps.
Through “L’Échappée plagnarde,” the resort aims to bring together all local stakeholders around a shared goal: to transform the valley into a true cycling destination in the summer, building on the investments made over the past decade in mountain biking, e-mountain biking, and the bike park.
Event Schedule
Thursday, August 20, 2026
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: Race bib pickup at the Macôt community hall
On-site registration available
Friday, August 21, 2026
7:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.: Race bib pickup and on-site registration
8:30 a.m.: Mass start for the 55 km, 76 km, and 108 km routes
9:00 a.m.: Start of the 37 km route
Online registration will be open until August 19 on the Sports’n’Connect platform.
A flat fee of €10
Registration is available at a flat rate of 10 €, regardless of the course chosen. This amount includes a meal at the finish line, refreshments, as well as baggage storage and bike parking services.
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