La Marmotte

One of the oldest sportives in the cycling calendar and still the ultimate cycling test. The route takes in some of the most famous climbs from the Tour de France including the challenging Glandon / Croix de Fer, the highest point in the race on the Galibier and then the famous switchbacks of Alpe d'Huez.
This is both a long sportive at 174km and one with an enormous amount of climbing at over 5,000m. On top of this, it is in July in the Alps so temperatures could be uncomfortable hot and you go over high at the Galibier so the chance of very changeable weather is strong. There are not many tougher single day sportives in the world.

The Routes

The race starts early morning in Le Bourg d'Oisan and after a quick 11km of flat the route heads straight to the Glandon and the first of four tough climbs. At over 20km and climbing over 1000m this is a real challenge. A long descent leads to the base of the Telegraph and the mighty Galibier hitting the highest point of the race at 2642m.
After a long descent down the valley floor there is just the small matter of Alpe d'Huez and the 21 switchbacks to contend with before crossing the finish line and enjoying the glory of completing the hardest one day sportive in cycling.

Long Route 174km

Starting early from Bourg d'Oisans crossing four major climbs the last being Alpe d'Huez.

DISTANCE  174 Km       ELEVATION  5180 M.