FULL ITINERARY
DAY ZERO SUN 7 JUL | ARRIVAL AND WELCOME
Arrive into Geneva and settle into our excellent start hotel. Our guides will assist with bike assembly or do a final fit of your Cipollini hire bike, so all is ready for the first ride tomorrow. Welcome and Tour Briefing over dinner, the first of many great nights ahead.
DAY ONE MON 8 JUL | GENEVA TO ANNECY
Ease into the tour with a great ride from Geneva to Annecy. We'll arrive early afternoon with time to enjoy a wander through the delightful centre of Annecy and beside the beautiful lake.
DISTANCE | 63KM | 39MI
ELEVATION | 950M | 3100FT
DAY TWO TUE 9 JUL | ANNECY TO SAINT-JEAN-DE-MAURIENNE
A short warm-up along the lake shore before we begin our first real ascent of the tour. A series of solid climbs that take us from Haute-Savoie to the Savoie region of France, culminating in the green slopes of Col du Frene. A huge descent and rolling terrain climbing gradually to our next stop.
DISTANCE | 110KM | 68MI
ELEVATION | 1800M | 5900FT
DAY THREE WED 10 JUL | SAINT-JEAN-DE-MAURIENNE TO LE BOURG D'OISANS
Serious Tour de France territory today with two halves. Our route heads ever upwards from the start. First summit is the Col du Télégraphe, and then the famous Col du Galibier. After such a mighty effort, the second half is a wonderful downhill run to the charming town of Le Bourg d'Oisans.
DISTANCE | 95KM | 59MI
ELEVATION | 2700M | 8850FT
DAY FOUR THU 11 JUL | ALPE D'HUEZ LOOP
Spectacular day as we ride a loop to Alpe d'Huez, and then just a little higher to the Col de Sarenne. We're up around 2000M above sea level today, before a scenic return to our hotel for dinner and recounting of the day's adventures.
DISTANCE | 60KM | 37MI
ELEVATION | 2100M | 6900FT
DAY FIVE FRI 12 JUL | LE BOURG D'OISANS TO CESANA TORINESE
Farewell to the French region of Isere, as we ride through the Haute-Alpes, over the Col du Lautaret and Col du Montgenevre. After these two bucket-list TDF ascents, we dip over the border, ready for the Italian version of the Alps.
DISTANCE | 85KM | 53MI
ELEVATION | 2600M | 8500FT
DAY SIX SAT 13 JUL | ITALIAN LOOP
When the Italian edition of the Grand Tour heads to the Alps, it is Colle delle Fenestre and Sestriere that are regular inclusions. Our loop gives us a downhill start for a change! Then the fearsome ascent of Colle delle Fenestre is before us. Enjoy a winding descent before the gradual climb to the extremely popular ski resort of Sestriere. Would you believe a downhill finish as well? Brilliant!
DISTANCE | 90KM | 56MI
ELEVATION | 2450M | 8050FT
DAY SEVEN SUN 14 JUL | QUEEN STAGE CESANA TORINESE TO BARCELONNETTE
Today's stage is just that. A taste of what the Pro's are up against when they ride the Grand Tours. Stage after Stage in the mountains, racing over these majestic peaks. You've got the rhythm in your legs - pace yourself and revel on this ride that has a grand history of bike racing - Col du Montgenevre, Col d'Izoard and Col de Vars.
DISTANCE | 120KM | 75MI
ELEVATION | 3400M | 11150FT
DAY EIGHT MON 15 JUL | REST DAY
After a week of mountainous riding, time for a rest day - you've earned it! Free day to relax and explore Barcelonnette. Although...like the experts at this riding gig, it's good to turn the legs over. There is the option to spin the legs and do an out and back to Cime de la Bonette. After a sleep-in of course.
DISTANCE | 60KM | 37MI
ELEVATION | 1700M | 5550FT
DAY NINE TUE 16 JUL | BARCELONNETTE TO VALBERG
We head further south into Alpes-Maritimes and the town of Valberg. Tackle the Col de la Cayolle, one of the prettiest climbs in the Grandes Alpes, and the northern road to Valberg.
DISTANCE | 75KM | 47MI
ELEVATION | 2350M | 7700FT
DAY TEN WED 17 JUL | VALBERG GORGE LOOP
Gorgeous scenic route that loops over the Col de Valberg and into the gorge terrain of this region. The climb of the day is early in the piece, leaving you free to feast on the picturesque views.
DISTANCE | 80KM | 50MI
ELEVATION | 2000M | 6550FT
DAY ELEVEN THU 18 JUL | VALBERG TO ROQUEBILLIèRE
Apologies folks but the Col de Valberg is on the menu once more today. This is tempered by a lovely long descent before the climb to the summit of Col Saint-Martin. Another fantastic descent, and by the time we reach our hotel you'll - almost - be able to smell the sea air.
DISTANCE | 80KM | 50MI
ELEVATNION | 2500M | 8200FT
DAY TWELVE FRI 19 JUL | ROQUEBILLIèRE TO NICE
A worthy route for our last ride of the tour. We take in the Col de Turini, and sections of the Paris-Nice one day monument race as we head to the Cote d'Azur. Give it all you've got over the Col de la Madone and Col d'Èze before we're gliding into Nice along the Mediterranean shore. Magnificent dinner to celebrate an epic achievement!
DISTANCE | 117KM | 73MI
ELEVATION | 3100M | 10150FT
DAY THIRTEEN SAT 20 JUL | FREE DAY
A free day to sleep-in, rest and explore Nice. Watch the Tour de France finish the second last stage of the 2024 Tour.
Farewell to the Punto team who will depart in the morning.
DAY FOURTEEN SUN 21 JUL | TDF ITT
Free day in Nice to soak up the excitement of the individual time trial that will conclude the Tour de France 2024 edition.
Check out will be tomorrow morning.
Ride safe Puntos. Until next time!