Gran fondos, sportives and challenge rides across Europe
Toerversie Amstel Gold Race
Granfondo La Fausto Coppi
L'Étape du TourL'EroicaLes 3 Ballons
Liège–Bastogne–Liège Challenge
Mallorca 312Granfondo Internazionale Nove Colli
Ötztaler RadmarathonParis-Roubaix ChallengeColnago GF Mont VentouxGFNY La VaujanyGFNY CannesGranfondo ColnagoLa Stelvio SantiniHaute Route AlpsHaute Route DolomitesMarmotte Granfondo AlpesMarmotte Granfondo PyrénéesSportful Dolomiti RaceToerversie Amstel Gold RaceGranfondo La Fausto CoppiL'Étape du TourL'EroicaLes 3 BallonsLiège–Bastogne–Liège ChallengeMallorca 312Granfondo Internazionale Nove ColliÖtztaler RadmarathonParis-Roubaix ChallengeColnago GF Mont VentouxGFNY La VaujanyGFNY CannesGranfondo ColnagoLa Stelvio SantiniHaute Route AlpsHaute Route DolomitesMarmotte Granfondo AlpesMarmotte Granfondo PyrénéesSportful Dolomiti RaceA seven-day point-to-point high-Alpine stage race from Nice to Lake Geneva, crossing major passes and finishing stages in iconic mountain towns.
Treat logistics, recovery and pacing as seriously as climbing fitness; one overcooked stage can ruin the week.
Best for
Watch out for
D-Score™
D4
Epic
Entry
Direct first-come registration
or Official tour operators
Route
808 km
19,255 m climbing
Terrain
Mountain
Smooth mountain tarmac
Month
August
Seven-stage point-to-point event; route changes by edition
Temperature
Approximately 5-32 °C
Valley to summit
Roads / Format
Open to traffic with marshals and motorcycle escorts
Stage starts across seven point-to-point days
Participants
Needs verification
Per edition
A full amateur stage-race experience with major Alpine roads, substantial cumulative fatigue and complex point-to-point logistics.
Register early, then immediately organise stage-town accommodation, luggage and transfer plans.
No Haute Route Alps-specific tours listed yet
Explore French Alps cycling tours and providers, or get notified when race packages are added.
| Route | Distance | Climbing | D-Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-day (Nice → Alpe d’Huez) | 404 km | 10,005 m | D4 |
| 7-day (Nice → Thonon-les-Bains) | 808 km | 19,255 m | D4 |
The challenge is accumulated over a week. Each day includes major climbing, with little opportunity to recover fully before the next stage. Open roads demand concentration as well as fitness.
Several climbs on this route appear in Giro d'Italia history. The full route includes seven major passes.
| Climb | Length | Avg gradient | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Colmiane | 16.3 km | 6.3 % | Opening major climb of stage 1. |
| Col de la Lombarde | 21.5 km | 6.9 % | High cross-border pass on stage 1. |
| Col d’Agnel | 20.5 km | 6.6 % | One of the highest paved Alpine passes, used on stage 2. |
| Col d’Izoard | 14.1 km | 7.3 % | Major stage-2 climb after Agnel. |
| Col du Lautaret | 34.2 km | 3.8 % | Long approach climb on stage 3. |
| Col de Sarenne | 12.8 km | 7.3 % | Technical high climb before Alpe d’Huez. |
| Alpe d’Huez | 13.8 km | 8.1 % | Stage finish and standalone uphill time trial. |
| Col du Glandon | 21.3 km | 6.9 % | Major stage-5 Alpine pass. |
| Signal de Bisanne | 12.4 km | 8.2 % | Steep stage-5 climb before the Saisies sector. |
| Col des Saisies | 15 km | 6.4 % | Stage-5 climb linking toward Megève. |
| Col des Aravis | 11.5 km | 5 % | Stage-6 climb in the Aravis range. |
| Col de la Colombière | 11.7 km | 5.8 % | Major stage-6 climb before Côte 2000. |
| Col de Joux Plane | 11.6 km | 8.5 % | Final-stage signature climb toward Thonon. |
Every rider has unique gearing and nutrition needs. Below are tools we find useful for working these out before race day.
Gearing
Bike Speed & Gear Calculator
bikespeedgear.com
Estimates your climbing speed from power, weight and gradient, then helps you pick gearing that keeps cadence in a comfortable range.
Gear Calculator
gear-calculator.com
Compares chainring and cassette combinations to show resulting gear ratios and speed at a given cadence, for fine-tuning your drivetrain.
Fuelling
DIN Calculator
dincalculator.com
Upload your GPX route (or use quick mode) for an hour-by-hour carb, fluid and sodium plan based on the ride's actual climbs and descents.
Precision Hydration Planner
precisionhydration.com
Questionnaire-based tool that builds a personalised fuel and hydration strategy, including electrolyte needs, based on your sweat profile and event details.
Nearest airports
Nice · Turin · Grenoble/Lyon · Geneva
Car hire
A support or transfer plan is more useful than a single rental car
Book ahead
Book all stage towns and finish transport immediately after entry
Plan Nice, Cuneo, Briançon, Alpe d’Huez/Bourg-d’Oisans, Megève and Thonon stays, plus luggage transfer and return travel.
Conditions can range from hot valleys to cold, windy summits above 2,300 m on the same stage.
Event size
Premium multi-day stage-race field
Field level
Strong, endurance-focused riders
Atmosphere
Serious amateur stage-race experience
International mix
High
Bunch intensity
Moderate at starts, low on climbs
First-timer
Complete several D3-D4 single-day mountain events and back-to-back training days first.
Stage-race endurance
Build back-to-back long mountain days.
Recovery and nutrition
Practise refuelling, hydration and sleep routines between stages.
Climbing repeatability
Train multiple major climbs in the same day and across consecutive days.
Descending confidence
Prepare for long descents from cold, high-altitude cols.
Kit and logistics planning
Prioritise reliable equipment and point-to-point travel organisation.