FULL ITINERARY
DAY ONE THU 27 JUN | WELCOME
Our day starts with a group transfer from Nice airport to the Welcome Hotel in Villefranche. The guides will meet you in the grounds before a warm-up ride out and back to Menton. This ride can be cut short or made a little longer, depending on how the group feels and has time for.
DISTANCE | 50KM | 31 MI
ELEVATION | 950M | 3100FT
DAY TWO FRI 28 JUN | VILLEFRANCHE LOOP TO VENCE
Day Two takes us along the coast past Nice for a great 20km warm-up before we tackle the famous Col de Vence. This climb features often as the final climb of the penultimate stage of the Paris-Nice 'Race to the Sun'. This is a very open, long climb of 24km. Not too difficult with an average of only 3.2%. Ideal start for the following days. We descend the steeper side and cruise back along the coast to Villefranche.
DISTANCE | 107KM | 66MI
ELEVATION | 1700M | 5550FT
DAY THREE SAT 29 JUN | VILLEFRANCHE LOOP TO COL DE LA MADONE
We have two challenges in store for you. No easy warm up today, pretty much straight up from the start. Our first climb, the Col de Braus is never too steep with beautifully contoured hairpins and features a monument to Renè Vietto, one of the greatest French riders to win the Tour. Some up and downs and then onto the Col de la Madone, made famous by Lance Armstrong as his favourite training climb. Apparently he knew he was going to win the Tour if he was going strong on the Madone. Shorter option for those just wanting to do the Madone.
DISTANCE | 111KM | 69MI
ELEVATION | 2750M | 9000FT
DAY FOUR SUN 30 JUN | VILLEFRANCHE LOOP TO COL DE TURINI
The last day and our Queen Stage for this tour. We'll take the very scenic route from L'Escarene up the most highly engineered road in the region featuring a series of short hairpin bends. Whilst this climb has featured in the Tour it's probably more famous for being used regularly in the Rally Monte Carlo. This is a serious Alpine climb reaching 1600m. The 30km climb averages 5.1% and offers spectacular views of canyons, gorges and surrounding mountains.
No better way to finish this tour than with this climb. Shorter options available.
DISTANCE 130KM | 81 MI
ELEVATION 3150M | 10300FT
DAY FIVE MON 1 JUL | GOODBYE
Group transfer to Nice airport.
Time to say farewell, until next time!