France is set to join the ranks of other European stage races with the inaugural edition of the Alps Epic taking place July 3-9, 2016.
In keeping with the mountainous tradition of other European “Epics”, the race will encompass 5 stages of 50-70km with a 2,000-3,000m of climbing each day.
For stage race aficionados the route presents a mouth-watering spectacle. It will begin with an urban prologue before heading for the Alps for the first of its five stages on July 4. The route will take participants from Briançon to Embrun via the Queyras with a backdrop of glaciers, alpine fortifications, natural parks, legendary mountain passes (including the Izoard) and the lac de Serre-Ponçon.
Registration for the race opens 8am CET on Monday. 250 places will be available with categories for the race to include senior and masters in men’s, women’s and mixed pairs. 50 guest riders including the winners of the Trans-Maurienne and the Ultra Raid de la Meije will also compete. The event is already part of the Fédération Française de cyclisme (FFC) calendar for 2016 with a view to UCI recognition in 2017.
The Alps will provide a wonderful backdrop for the race.
Responding to the surge in popularity and perhaps competition with other races the event will offer two race packages. A Blue Package (1,250 Euro) will provide traditional camp-site accomodation, while a Black Package (1,800 Euro) will see racers lodged in the finest accommodation at each overnight stop.
With 2,000-3,000m of climbing there could be a bit of hike-a-bike for participants!
Regardless of with package participants choose, the event looks set to be professionally run. Every entry will include timing with live tracking, food and drink stations during the stages, savoury snacks after the stages, bike washing and lubing service, full workshop support, post-stage massage, secure bike storage, kit transport between stages, entry to opening and closing ceremonies, return bus to race start, event t-shirt, and finishers t-shirt.
For more information visit the event page on our race calendar.