145 km Timed

The first 35 km will provide a warm-up. But it is quite a tough warm-up, with a section in the department of the Vosges, via the Col d’Oderen, which the Tour de France crossed from the same side in 2014, as well as the Col du Page and the Col de Bussang.

Things start to get serious as you climb the Col du Haag, another possible pass for the Tour de France. It is a stiff climb. The 12% gradient in the first and last kilometre will prove that. Above all... don’t forget, the Petit Ballon and the Platzerwasel are still a long way off.
The descent to the valley of Guebwiller only really starts after you have crossed the Markstein, where Pogacar achieved a great victory in the final sprint in the 2023 Tour de France. This descent is interrupted for 500 metres at the Lac de la Lauch which you can admire. In the valley, near Guebwiller, you will turn left towards the Col du Bannstein. This little pass may seem easy but in fact it marks the start of a succession of increasingly difficult climbs: Bannstein,Firstplan, Petit Ballon and Platzerwasel. So it is wise not to use the higher gears too early on, to save your strength for the Petit Ballon - Platzerwasel section.

After the Col du Firstplan, make the most of the 5 km of descent to rest, and at the bottom turn off to the left. Now comes a gentle climb to the feed zone, where you are advised to stop. You are 8 km from the Petit Ballon , and the gradient increases at once. The average gradient is close to 8.5%, but some parts almost reach 20%. The narrow road leads to stubble fields, home to many farmhouse inns. 2 km from the summit, you will pass the Virage Pinot, where you will no doubt remember a mythical stage of the Tour de France.

Further on in the descent, be careful. Even champions like Alberto Contador and David Gaudu have been caught out by a bend. You are still on the route of the Tour de France as you head for the Platzerwasel. Although the road is wider, this climb is just as difficult as the one to the Petit Ballon, especially as the real summit is at Breifirst, 2 km after the sign showing “Col du Platzerwasel, altitude 1183m”.

It will be a real relief when you see the Markstein for the second time in the day. There are only about 20 km left, and above all they are downhill. You will have reached the finish, with stiff legs no doubt, but your head full of memories.