Les Saisies, France 12/07/2025
Source: https://letourdumontblanc.fr/en/ and https://www.instagram.com/letourdumontblanc/
The “CYCLING: Tour du Mont Blanc 2025 (FRA)” refers to the Tour du Mont Blanc Cyclo, an ultra-endurance road cycling event that circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif through France, Switzerland, and Italy. It is renowned as one of the toughest one-day cycling events in the world.
Here’s a breakdown of its history and characteristics:
Origins and Evolution:
- First Edition: The Tour du Mont Blanc Cyclo was first held in 2010.
- Rapid Cult Status: It quickly gained a reputation as a legendary and extremely challenging event, attracting ultra-distance cyclists from around the globe.
- Consistent Format: Since its inception, the core concept has remained the same: a single-stage race (or “ultrafondo” / “granfondo”) that covers a demanding course around Mont Blanc.
- Annual Occurrence: It’s held annually, typically in July. The 2025 edition will be its 14th.
Key Features and Challenges:
- Distance and Elevation: The course is approximately 330-338 km (205-210 miles) long with a staggering 8,300 – 9,000 meters (27,000-30,000 feet) of elevation gain. This immense climbing makes it comparable to riding multiple challenging granfondos or even several Tour de France mountain stages in one go.
- Three Countries: Participants traverse three countries: France, Switzerland, and Italy, offering diverse and breathtaking Alpine scenery.
- Iconic Climbs: The route includes numerous famous and brutal mountain passes, many of which have featured in Grand Tours like the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. These include:
- Col du Grand Saint-Bernard (often the highest point, over 2,400m)
- Col du Petit Saint-Bernard
- Cormet de Roselend
- Col des Saisies
- Col des Montets
- Col de la Forclaz
- “World’s Toughest One-Day Race”: This is a common description used by the cycling press due to the extreme distance, relentless climbing, and often unpredictable Alpine weather conditions.
- Solo and Duo Options: While primarily a solo challenge, there’s often a “Duo” or relay option available, allowing two riders to split the course.
- Start and Finish: The event typically starts and finishes in Les Saisies, France.
Historical Highlights (Examples of what makes it legendary):
- Weather Variability: Early editions, like 2011, saw incredibly harsh conditions with rain, sleet, snow, and freezing temperatures, pushing riders to their absolute limits and leading to a high attrition rate. This demonstrates the “survival” aspect of the race.
- Mental and Physical Test: Finishers consistently describe it as an immense mental and physical challenge, requiring flawless preparation and extraordinary courage.
- A “Hero” Goal: The organizers often frame the completion of the Tour du Mont Blanc Cyclo as an achievement that makes participants a “hero.”
Tour du Mont Blanc 2025 (FRA) Specifics:
- Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
- Location: Starts and finishes in Les Saisies, Savoie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
- Route: The 2025 edition will follow the classic circuit, including the major climbs and traversing France, Switzerland, and Italy.
The Tour du Mont Blanc Cyclo is not just a race; it’s an epic journey and a benchmark for ultra-endurance cyclists seeking the ultimate one-day challenge in the majestic Alps.
SOLO
12/07/2025
- Start: Les Saisies
- Finish: Les Saisies
- 330 km – 8300 m/d+
DUO
12/07/2025
- Start 1 : Les Saisies
Start 2 : Gd-St-Bernard - Finish 1 : Gd-St-Bernard
Finish 2 : Les Saisies - Leg 1 : 155 km – 4300 m/d+
Leg 2 : 175 – 4000 m/d+
LE TOUR DU MONT BLANC
You are at the starting line, in the heart of the beautiful ski resort of Les Saisies, it is 4:55 in the morning and you turn on your front light. You listen to the latest safety instructions from the speaker. 4:58, the departure music starts, a lot of thoughts jump inside your head: “What am I doing here? “Why do I hurt myself like that? “Am I really ready for this huge challenge?” “Why do I do that?”
But you know the answer: To become a Hero! “Hero: person who shows great courage.”
Reference among the ultra events, the Tour du Mont-Blanc Cyclo will require you a flawless preparation, extraordinary courage and push you to exceed your limits to become a hero. Because yes, becoming a hero is the goal of every participant of the Tour du Mont-Blanc. “The world’s toughest one day bike event”. This is how the cycling press describes the Tour du Mont-Blanc Cyclo. Indeed, riding 330km and face the 8300m of elevation gain that we offer you, in one day, is not an easy task!
On the program again for the twelfth edition, the crossing of 3 countries, France, Switzerland and Italy. You will once again be confronted with a demanding and ruthless route that will await you with constant strength. A unique experience to be sure.
