FRANCE GRAND TOUR 2024 - PYRENEES ESCAPE
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Location
France
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Duration
5 days | 4 nights | 2 stages
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Length
From 50 to 90 km + daily
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Climb
From 300 to 1,590 m daily
11 Jul 2024 - 15 Jul 2024
Into the Pyrenees. The Grand Boucle of France without the Pyrenees would be like missing the front wheel of the bike. But the big question is which of the 787 cols in the Pyrenees (yes really!) will be included in the 2024 Tour?
The Grand Depart of the 111th edition of the World's premier cycle race in France, starts in Florence, Italy. After travelling over the Alps, through the world famous wine regions of northern France and down the edge of the Massif Central and flat Aquitaine, the Tour reaches the magnificent Pyrenees. Week 3 throws a curve ball as a result of the Olympics and stays in the Mediterranean to finish with an ITT into Nice.
The Grand Tours Project France’s Grand Tour Week 2 Into the Pyrenees Escape provides support and guidance along the best parts of the Stages 14 & 15 routes, as well as a stage from the 2022 route. The legendary Col du Tourmalet at 2,115 m returns to the tour again … probably close to 90 times and this is the 111th edition of France’s premier cycle race. It might be easier to identify when Tourmalet was NOT included in the Tour! But it is not just Tourmalet. There is Col d’Aubisque, Plateau de Bielle, Col d’Agnes to name a few. PLUS on Day 2 you can challenge yourself on the 2022 Stage 18 route from Laruns to Hautacam…with options to avoid or shorten the route of course!
Are you ready to join us and experience France’s grand cycle race Into the Pyrenees?
Total price: From €2,560
- Ride along portions of stages 14 & 15 on the race route, on the day of the race
- Be challenged on the 2022 Stage 18 route from Laruns to Hautacam
- Enjoy the French Pyrenean cuisine and wines from the the plains
- Fall in love with the wild beauty of the Pyrenees
- Test yourself on the legendary climbs like Col du Tourmalet
- Stay 2 nights in a charming hotel in the centre of Lourdes
- One night in an authentic auberge in a tranquil forest setting
- Expert planning and support from our team (guides, mechanics, drivers)
- Premium rental bike available (Full carbon disc brake + Ultegra di2 electronic)
- Level of fitness: MEDIUM - fit enough to ride 2 to 4 hours or 50 to 100 km per day.
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DAY 1 - THURSDAY 11 JULY
BIENVENUE
30 km | 400 m
HOTEL in LourdesWe will meet you at Toulouse Airport and take you to your hotel in Lourdes. After check in, we will help assemble your bike or fit you to your rental bike and then ride a route to explore the area around Lourdes as well as test the bikes. Back at the hotel we will meet for pre-dinner drinks to present the GTP musettes and discuss the logistics for the next few days. Finally, our first dinner together.
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DAY 2 - FRIDAY 12 JULY
Stage 18 2022 Tour Route: Laruns - Col d’Aubisque - Col du Soulor - Col des Spandelles - Hautacam
72 KM | 2,922 M , 70 km | 1,430 m or 72 KM | 2,922 M
Hotel in Lourdes
The GTP team have identified climbs near Lourdes that although not in the 2024 tour, featured on the 2022 Stage 18. It's a big day of climbing and you can opt out at any time. You will be transferred to Laruns and climb Col d’Aubisque (1,709 m) and continue to Col Soulor (1,474 m). Decision time - turn left to Ferrieres and up to Col des Spandelles (1,378 m) or continue the descent to Argeles-Gazost? Both routes meet at Argeles-Gazost. Second decision - dig deep and climb to Hautacam (1,520 m) or continue to Lourdes and your hotel. -
DAY 3 - SATURDAY 13 JULY
STAGE 14 - COL DU TOURMALET - LA HOURQUETTE D’ANCIZAN - SAINT-LARY-SOULAN
42 km | 1,780 m, 66 km | 2,500 m OR 84 km | 2,574 m
HotelBack to 2024 Stage 14 and another day of options. After an early breakfast, the team will transfer you to Argeles-Gazost. A 15 km warm up section before ascending 19 km to the legendary Col du Tourmalet (2,115 m). Then you have a 13 km 800 m descent. You can opt to travel by van or continue riding to La Hourquette d’Ancizan (1,564 m). After the hard climbing, enjoy the descent to Saint-Lary-Soulan. Everyone will regroup here and watch the race start their ascent to Pla d’Adet. As soon as the road is open, the team will transfer you to your hotel.
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DAY 4 - SUNDAY 14 JULY
STAGE 15 - Col d’Agnes - Plateau de Beille 60 km | 1,565 m Optional Extension Aulus-les-Bains to Col d’Agnes 10 km | 825 m
HOTEL ToulouseAfter breakfast, you will be transferred to the 128 km mark of the Stage 15 race route in Aulus-les-Bains at the base of Col d’Agnes (1,570 m). Or if you prefer to reduce the climbing, the team will take you to Col d’Agnes. A short ride across to Port de Lers and then a descent and flat ride to Les Cabannes. Grab some refreshments before the 16 km ascent. It's a reasonably steady grade of about 8% and so a healthy challenge. Once there, change clothes and the team will provide refreshments. Soon enough the excitement of the approaching riders will be palpable and when the leaders arrive you will find yourself amongst the fanatical fans, cheering them on. When the last riders arrive and the road reopens, the team will take you to your hotel in Toulouse.
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DAY 5 - MONDAY 15 JULY
DEPARTURE DAY - AU REVOIR
The French Grand Boucle in the Pyrenees - spectacular landscapes, climbing epic climbs of the 2024 Tour and previous years, gastronomic dining, the atmosphere of the race and passionate fans lining the famous ascents… it will be an experience never forgotten. The GTP team hope that these 5 days will not fail to give you a taste and experience of riding during a Grand Tour.
We will assist you in checking out and take you to Toulouse Airport for your flight home or to your next destination. As always, ride safe and see you on the road again soon.
