FULL ITINERARY
DAY ZERO FRI 10 JUL | ARRIVAL
Arrive in Villefranche and settle in to your start hotel. Our guides will assist with bike assembly or do a final fit of your 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 SAT 11 JUL | VILLEFRANCHE TO ST-MARTIN-VéSUBIE
Fantastic first ride! Today we leave Nice riding north into the French Maritime Alps. Our route takes us north up through the beautifully contoured hairpins of the Col de Braus. Although used in the Tour de France from time to time, our descent on the highly engineered section of the Col de Turini is more famous for the Rally Monte Carlo. There may be some big climbs today, but there are also some brilliant descents.
DISTANCE | 90KM
ELEVATION | 2650M
DAY TWO SUN 12 JUL | ST-MARTIN-VéSUBIE TO BARCELONNETTE
Today's route takes the term 'loop ride' to a whole other level. We begin with the Col Saint Martin, and a great descent to the start of what is essentially a sixty kilometre climb to the Col de la Bonnette. The actual summit is a loop off the main road, but the lunar like peak and sensational descent into Barcelonnette marks a brilliant day's ride.
DISTANCE | 115KM
ELEVATION | 3200M
DAY THREE MON 13 JUL | BARCELONNETTE TO BRIANçON
You've got the rhythm in your legs, so a taste of what the Pro's are up against in the Grand Tours. State after Stage in the mountains, racing over these majestic peaks. Today, two peaks of TDF reknown - the Col de Vars and Col d'Izoard. Revel on this ride that has a grand history of bike racing.
DISTANCE | 100KM
ELEVATION | 2950M
DAY FOUR TUE 14 JUL | BRIANçON TO ST-JEAN-DE-MAURIENNE
An easier day for some well-earned recovery as we transition through the Haute Alpes. One ascent which combines the classic passes of Col du Lautaret, Col du Galibier and Col du Télégraphe. Enjoy!
DISTANCE | 80KM
ELEVATION| 1550M
DAY FIVE WED 15 JUL | ST-JEAN-DE-MAURIENNE TO MOûTIERS
Your Queen Stage today. Magnificent ride from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne over the beautiful lady of the Alpes, the Col de la Madeleine. At the bottom of the descent the route turns east towards Moûtiers where we ride the bike only loop of the Col de la Loze. An inclusion in the 2025 TDF, this is a fantastic, silk-tarmac road just for cyclists. Heaven!
DISTANCE | 130KM
ELEVATION | 4150M
DAY SIX THU 16 JUL | LOOP RIDE
Early morning transfer to Bédoin of about four hours to our lovely hotel at the base of Mont Ventoux. Following a light lunch, turn the legs over in preparation for the big day tomorrow as we ride a loop to the Gorge de la Nesque. Spectacular!
DISTANCE | 70KM | 43MI
ELEVATION | 1150M | 3800FT
DAY SEVEN FRI 17 JUL | MONT VENTOUX!
The legend awaits! There are three ascents of this behemoth to choose from, but there is no easy route. The classic way up the mountain is from Bédoin, which naturally is the toughest. Mont Ventoux has justly earned its formidable status among the cycling fraternity. It is that camaraderie that will get you to the summit. Allez, allez! Celebrations to wind up an epic week on your bike.
DISTANCE | 56KM | 35MI
ELEVATION | 1790M | 5870FT
DAY EIGHT SAT 18 JUL | DEPARTURE
Morning transfer of about 3 hours to Nice. Plan your onward travel from mid-afternoon.
Time to say farewell, until next time.
Ride safe Puntos.