120 KM TIMED

Starting with a climb allows the pack to stretch out and each participant to find their place with other cyclists of the same level. The really lovely Col d’Oderen will give you that opportunity. This is quickly followed by the Col du Page along a small forest road, after the wide road to the Col d’Oderen. You will enjoy the panorama when you reach the upper part of the village of Bussang. The narrow Route des Sources crosses the Col du Bussang. At the top, after a short slope that marks the final kilometre of the climb, you will join the main road. Next follows a rapid descent, with nice sharp bends and already a beautiful view of the crests.

You will then have 6 km to recover as you ride along the Thur Valley to Saint-Amarin After a stop at the feed zone, you will turn right in the centre of Saint-Amarin. Here, the particularly steep slope straightaway sets the tone of the difficult Haag road. After 12 km you will reach the Route des Crêtes, where your bike’s mountain gear ratio will prove essential. Passes in the Vosges are nothing like hills, as you will see...

There is then a welcome descent back down to the valley. It is not very technical, the surface is good, and will be able to rest your muscles before starting the climb to the crests. The Col du Bramont, with one sharp bend after another, climbs steadily at a gradient of 4 to 5%. But watch out, it is essential to manage your effort. Once you reach the Col du Bramont, after a descent of only a short kilometre, the climb continues along the Route des Américains. This 4-kilometre direct road to the crests was built in 1917 to resupply the troops. The gradient is far steeper, and sometimes you will even have to ride out of the saddle.

As you leave the forest, the scenery opens up to pastures. You will ride along the famous Route des Crêtes, with its magnificent panoramas, to the Col de la Schlucht. But as you head for La Bresse, watch out for the little col des Feignes which interrupts the descent and is tough on the thighs! After passing through the ski resort at La Bresse, there is one last climb to the Col du Bramont. From this side, the climb is shorter but steeper, with an average gradient of 6.8% for 3.5 kilometres. You will also need to watch out on the final descent, with its many sharp bends. Be careful until you reach the finish, when you can finally relax.