The Jacques Gouin 2027: Five Reasons to Be There

On Sunday, March 7, 2027, the Jacques Gouin will kick off the Île-de-France cyclosportive season in Mennecy, Essonne. For its 30th edition, the event organized by Éric Ramos maintains a proven formula: 115 kilometers, hills, a well-stocked peloton, and that special atmosphere of the first reunion after winter. Registrations open this November 1st. And there are some good reasons not to delay too long.

By Jeff Tatard – 3bikes.fr

Because the first race number always has a special flavor

You can spend all winter accumulating kilometers, monitoring your watts, working on your threshold, and diligently following your program. But nothing replaces a peloton start to truly know where you stand. On March 7, at 9 AM, in Villeroy Park in Mennecy, discussions about winter preparation will quickly give way to something more concrete. The first accelerations, the legs responding… or reminding you that it’s still only the beginning of March. The Jacques Gouin arrives at exactly the right time for this. Early enough to serve as a first test, late enough to already have some kilometers in the legs.

Because 115 kilometers is already a real race

With its 115 kilometers and approximately 900 meters of positive elevation gain, the course remains accessible to a large number of trained cyclists. But accessible should not be confused with easy. The hills of Essonne are not like the great Alpine passes. Nevertheless, they have an annoying habit of hurting when they are strung together at a good pace, especially when the peloton decides to tackle them a little faster than expected.

The 2027 route largely follows that of 2026, with a slight variation. Good news for those who dread cobblestones: the sector initially considered has finally been removed, its condition having been deemed too degraded. This allows you to focus on your legs. Which, between us, is already a sufficient program.

Because you can aim for a time without being a champion

That’s also the appeal of a cyclosportive. You share the same start, the same roads, and the same difficulties, without necessarily pursuing the same goal. Some will come to compete for the ranking. Others will seek to improve their time, stay in a group, or simply finish their 115 kilometers with the feeling of having had a great race.

And for those who prefer to ride without the pressure of the clock, a supervised 60-kilometer recreational ride is also announced, starting a few minutes after the peloton. Everyone has their own way of starting the season.

Because you know who is behind the organization

Last September, we dedicated a long portrait on 3bikes to Éric Ramos, the man who refuses to see his cycling disappear.

We discovered a former rider who became an organizer, a man attached to his volunteers, his friends, and a certain idea of cycling. He explained to us, in particular, why he started organizing events: to “give back” to a sport that had given him so much. The Jacques Gouin is part of this story.

For this 30th edition, the organization announces a significant setup: 24 escort motorcycles, five cars, two emergency vehicles, and marshals at intersections. Safety obviously remains everyone’s business, but it’s reassuring to know that supervision has not been overlooked. And then, participating in an event like this is also supporting those who continue to keep the amateur cycling calendar alive. Without organizers, without volunteers, and without participants, there isn’t much left to put on our calendars.

Because a race doesn’t necessarily end at the finish line

Éric Ramos has clearly decided to add a bit of jazz to this 30th edition. This will be the theme of the day, with a prize ceremony set to music, a hot meal, and a raffle offering, among other things, a trip to Spain. The kind of detail that can help convince the family to accept a Sunday morning spent on a bike. Villeroy Park also offers amenities for companions, including green spaces and a children’s playground.

And perhaps that’s what we also love about these early-season gatherings: seeing familiar faces again, recounting your race, replaying the difficult sections, and extending the day a little. Provided, of course, that your legs aren’t too sore to go get your meal.

See you on March 7th?

Registrations have been open since Sunday, November 1, 2026, with participation limited to 600 riders. Thirty editions is no small feat. That represents thousands of race numbers, generations of cyclists, and many Sunday mornings dedicated to keeping an event alive.

So, whether you come for the ranking, to test yourself, or simply to rediscover the joy of riding in a peloton, the Jacques Gouin deserves a place in your 2027 calendar. And for those who spent the winter explaining that they are in great shape, this is an excellent opportunity to verify it.