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United Kingdom
La Marmotte 2023
25th June
See our flexible bookings payment plans. View Details.
2023 Marmotte Gran Fondo with Sportive Breaks
Please note that the Marmotte date has been changed to 25th of June 2023
The original European sportive and still one of the hardest. The Marmotte takes in four giant alpine climbs, all legendary from the Tour de France finishing with the mighty Galibier and then Alpe d’Huez. A serious challenge! 2021 saw a tweak to the classic route and a new Ultra route option with over 6500m of climbing.
Stay in Alpe d’Huez with us for 3 or 4 nights. We offer a choice of hotels. Our support includes mechanic service, guided rides and private feed stations. We also offer Marmotte entry in wave 2 (2000 – 4000) with 07.30 start, a group meal night and airport transfers from Geneva airport.
Please book the 4-night package if you want to take part in the Grimpee de L’Alpe; Alpe d’Huez Time Trial on Friday morning.
Hotel options – all available for 3 or 4 nights or longer on request
- Hotel Le Castillan – prices from £449
- Hotel Le Petit Prince – prices from £399
- Chalet Hotel La Belle Etoile – prices from £399
Entry without hotel available at £175
- Guaranteed entry in Wave 2 with start at 07.30
- Access to our private feed stations on the Col du Galibier and the Alpe d’Huez climb
- Clothes drop in Bourg d’Oisans before the start (must be collected from hotel Petit Prince in Alpe d’Huez after the event)
Spread your payments: Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking.
Guaranteed Entry: In Wave 2 (2001 – 2000). Guaranteed entry available to either the Gran Fondo (07:30 start wave) or the Ultra Fondo
Private Feed Stops: Drop off your day bags, re-energise with sports nutrition + savoury food on the Galibier & the final climb.
Mechanic support: Expert mechanics on hand all weekend.
Guided Warm Up Rides: On Friday & Saturday before the sportive to some great local routes close to Alpe d’Huez.
What's Included?
Accommodation
Choice of 3* hotels
Meals Included
Bed and Breakfast
Guided warm up rides
On Friday & Saturday
Private feed stops
On Gran Fondo Day
Mechanic
Expert mechanic on hand all weekend
Additional Extra - Transfer
From Geneva airport (GVA)
Additional Extra - Sportive Entry
In Wave 2 at 07.30. £110 for either Gran Fondo or Ultra Fondo
Group Meal
Group Meal Night at £25 per night
Itinerary
Day To Day
Please make your way to Alpe d’Huez today or make use of our optional airport transfer from Geneva airport where our team will meet you. The transfer takes 3 hours from Geneva. Please arrive today if you would like to do the Alpe d’Huez Time Trial tomorrow (Grimpee de L’Alpe).
This evening we will meet in Smithy’s tavern for our group meal night which is bookable as an extra at £25 per night.
Please make your way to Alpe d’Huez today or make use of our optional airport transfer from Geneva airport where our team will meet you. The transfer takes 3 hours from Geneva. Today is the Grimpee de L’Alpe Event (book our 4 day package for entry). This is the official ADH time trial. Also today we will run a short (but punchy) guided ride down Alpe d’Huez, over the Balcons and back up the Sarenne departing Alpe d’Huez at 14.30.
This afternoon you have the opportunity to go to the expo to collect your race bib for tomorrow and our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available for you. The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at our meal night in Smithy’s Tavern (available at £25 per night).
Distance: 14
Elevation: 1125
Difficulty 4/5
Transfer information: Geneva Airport on Friday
Transfer 1 : Depart Geneva Airport at 11.00 (for flights arriving by 10.00)
Transfer 2 : Depart Geneva Airport at 16.00 (for flights arriving by 15.00)
After breakfast and preparing the bikes, we will take you on a supported, guided ride that takes in the Vilard Reculas climb which is the easiest way to get back up to Alpe d’Huez. We will descend down to Bourg d’Oisans, ride along the valley floor and climb back up to Alpe d’Huez.
We’ll be back at the hotel in the afternoon for you to rest and get prepared for tomorrow. This evening our bike guides will do a race briefing to run through Marmotte day logistics and of course the route.
The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at Smithy’s for the meal night (available at £25 per night).
We have an early start this morning. Early breakfast is arranged. The Marmotte start is done in waves. You will be allocated a start pen with a time that you have to enter the pen plus a start time. Previous editions have started between 07:00 and 08:30.
- 06:00 – 07:00 – Start check-in
- 07:00 – Start 1st wave
- 07:30 – Start 2nd wave
Today we provide:
- A clothing drop-off at the start
- Private feed stations
This afternoon and early evening we’ll assist you with re-packing your bikes ahead of travel. The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at Smithy’s for the meal night (£25pp). After the meal, we’ll have a celebratory get together at Smithy’s bar to celebrate your achievement.
After breakfast, we offer our optional transfer back to Geneva airport.
Airport Transfers:Geneva Airport on Monday
Transfer 1 : Depart Alpe d’Huez at 07.00 (for flights departing after 12.00)
Transfer 2 : Depart Alpe d’Huez at 10.00 (for flights departing after 15.00)
More About the Event
La Marmotte
La Marmotte is known to be one of the hardest sportives to participate in. Taking place in June this year, our travel packages include tackling the four alpine climbs which have become legendary thanks to the Tour de France. This route is a serious challenge and a fantastic achievement.
What is La Marmotte Sportive?
La Marmotte is the ultimate cycling test and also the oldest sportive in the cycling calendar. At 174km, this one-day classic includes conquering famous climbs from the Tour de France including the Galibier, and the Glandon. The Marmotte is a race with two cut off points. You need to have passed the top of the Galibier before 16.00 and the start of the Alpe d’Huez climb in Bourg d’Oisans before 18.00 otherwise you will be eliminated from the race. If you’re eliminated your bike will go on a bike trailer and you will be transported to the finish in Alpe d’Huez. Once you finish in Alpe d’Huez, there’s no need to worry as you are staying near the finish.
First held in 1982, this is still one of the most popular cycling events in the world and a bucket list sportive all riders should try at least once.
Sportive Options
The famous Marmotte Granfondo Alps finishes with the legendary Alpe d’Huez. The famous 21 hairpin bends must be conquered before the final release of the finish. It takes courage to overcome the 177 kilometres and 5,000 altimeters of this epic cycling challenge.
The route features 5 of the most legendary passes in France: in order of appearance on the route: the Glandon, the Telegraph, the Galibier, the Lautaret, and finally the final ascent of Alpe d’Huez. Whether you aim for a certain time or you just want to finish, every participant leaves Alpe d’Huez with a satisfying feeling and bragging rights knowing that they have conquered this challenge.
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Route | 175 | 5516 | 5/5 |
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You're in safe hands
We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organising cycling trips for over 25 years. We are members of ABTA and ATOL so book with confidence.
Plenty to choose from
Did you know we offer the biggest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.
Spread your payments
Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply
Logistics covered
We know the routes, we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organise everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, rep support and more.
