Flights into Marseille and transfer to the start at Vaison la Romaine.
There is a choice of 2 warm up loops to the north of Vaison with the elite route including Col de la Croix Rouge, a climb to set expectations for the days ahead. Accommodation and evening meal in Vaison la Romaine, eating in a local restaurant.
This is the big one with all riders tackling one of the most iconic climbs in France, the great Mont Ventoux. Whichever route you take up (the Bedoin Tour de France route or the Malaucene route), it is still a considerable challenge. When you have celebrated your achievement over lunch in Sault there’s still a healthy 80kms to complete before reaching our accommodation and evening meal in Gréoux-Les-Bains.
We start with a relatively flat 30kms past the lavender fields of Provence before entering the national park and today’s challenge – the Gorge du Verdon. Those doing this route will face another day of over 2000m of climbing. Those choosing to take a slightly easier option today ride around the Gorge before joining the main route to tackle the Col de St Arnuex, and reaching our finish point for the evening, Domain de Fayence.
Our final day takes us up Col de Val Ferrier and Col de Vence, along some beautifully surfaced roads with stunning views and dramatic descents. Eventually we’ll drop down into Vence and carry on towards the sea. A final stretch by the side of the Mediterranean will take us into Cannes for dinner and celebrations.
Classic | Ultra | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Km | m | Km | m | |
Arrival Day | 50 | 374 | 53 | 683 |
Day 1 | 135 | 2868 | 160 | 3104 |
Day 2 | 120 | 1737 | 128 | 2389 |
day 3 | 100 | 1300 | 140 | 2500 |
Total | 405 | 6279 | 481 | 8676 |