France 28 Feb 2026 Class 1.Pro – 1 day – UCI ProSeries
Website www.boucles-drome-ardeche.fr
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
The Faun-Ardèche Classic 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026. As a 1.Pro category race, it remains one of the most prestigious dates on the French “opening weekend” for puncheurs and climbers.
Below is the program and key details for the event:
Race Schedule & Logistics
- Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
- Start Time: 10:45 AM (Local Time / CET)
- Estimated Finish: 3:35 PM (Local Time / CET)
- Total Distance: 188 km
- Start & Finish Location: Guilherand-Granges, France
Route & Key Challenges
The course is notoriously difficult, featuring over 3,000 meters of elevation gain. The race typically consists of several loops through the rugged Ardèche terrain:
- The Val d’Enfer: The signature climb of the race (1.5 km at over 10% average gradient). It is usually climbed three times, with the final ascent serving as the launchpad for victory just 6 km from the finish.
- Mur des Royes: A steep, punishing section in the final 20 km that filters the lead group.
- Saint-Romain-de-Lerps: A longer, steadier climb that tests the endurance of the pack before the explosive final hills.
How to Watch (TV & Streaming)
| Region | Broadcaster/Platform |
| France | L’Équipe (Free-to-air) |
| Europe | Eurosport / Discovery+ / GCN |
| USA / Canada | FloBikes |
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports |
Key Favorites to Watch
With the 2026 start list confirmed, several top-tier riders are expected to compete:
- Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ): The defending champion (2025) and top favorite.
- Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious): A pure climber who thrives on the steep gradients of the Ardèche.
- Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost): An aggressive racer perfect for this terrain.
- Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers): Continuing his return to top classic form.
- Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek): A consistent performer in these hilly French one-day races.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Faun-Ardèche Classic (historically known as the Classic Sud-Ardèche) is a prominent one-day professional cycling race held in the Ardèche department of south-central France. It is celebrated for its hilly, punishing terrain that favors “puncheurs” and climbers.
Since its inception, the race has evolved from a local amateur event into a prestigious fixture of the early-season European cycling calendar.
Historical Evolution & Naming
The race has undergone several identity shifts as it grew in stature and attracted major sponsors:
- 2001–2012: Les Boucles du Sud-Ardèche. Founded in 2001, it spent its first seven years as a National Event for amateurs and French regional teams.
- 2013–2017: Classic Sud-Ardèche – Souvenir Francis Delpech. The name was shortened, and it began to be paired with its sister race, the Drôme Classic, to create the “Boucles Drôme-Ardèche” weekend.
- 2018–2019: Faun Environnement – Classic de l’Ardèche Rhône Crussol. The waste management company Faun became the title sponsor, a partnership that remains today.
- 2020–Present: Faun-Ardèche Classic. The current name was adopted as the race reached its highest international standing.
Rise in Professional Status
The race’s climb through the UCI ranks reflects its increasing importance to WorldTour teams:
- 2008: Entered the UCI Europe Tour as a 1.2 category race (open to professional continental teams).
- 2010: Upgraded to 1.1 status, attracting more top-tier WorldTour squads.
- 2020: Promoted to the UCI ProSeries, the second-highest tier of professional racing below the WorldTour.
The “Val d’Enfer” and Modern Course
The race is famous for its start and finish in Guilherand-Granges. The modern route typically covers roughly 170–190 km with over 3,000 meters of climbing.
The defining feature of the race is the Côte du Val d’Enfer (the “Valley of Hell”), a short but brutal climb (1.5 km at 10%+) that riders must often tackle multiple times. In recent years, the final ascent of the Val d’Enfer—located just 6 km from the finish line—has become the decisive launchpad for the winning attack.
Notable Winners
While early winners were often French domestics or international riders from smaller nations (like Algeria and Moldova), the recent palmarès (list of winners) reads like a “who’s who” of modern cycling:
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 2026 | Romain Grégoire | Groupama-FDJ |
| 2025 | Romain Grégoire | Groupama-FDJ |
| 2024 | Juan Ayuso | UAE Team Emirates |
| 2023 | Julian Alaphilippe | Soudal–Quick-Step |
| 2022 | Brandon McNulty | UAE Team Emirates |
| 2021 | David Gaudu | Groupama-FDJ |
| 2018 | Romain Bardet | AG2R La Mondiale |
Note: As of the 2026 edition, Romain Grégoire is the only rider to have won the race in consecutive years (2025 and 2026).
