2024 Tour de Suisse Escape
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Location
Switzerland
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Duration
4 days | 3 nights
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Length
60 - 80 km daily
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Climb
500 - 1,600 m daily
14 Jun 2024 - 17 Jun 2024
Looking for a weekend escape that offers a taste of the Tour de France? Look no further, because we are very proud to present the perfect escape that offers some flat, an ITT, some challenging mountains and endless descents AND it takes place in Villars-sur-Ollon, our home town and on our training routes!
"This experience of riding on the same course as the pros, and just a few hours ahead of them, is unique in the sporting world. The atmosphere is simply incredible." Keith Tuffley, Founder - Grand Tours Project.
Tour de Suisse starts in Liechtenstein, crossing into eastern and the heart of central Switzerland, down into Ticino before crossing over the Nufenen Pass into the Goms valley and then the Rhone Valley and into Swiss Romande - French speaking Switzerland. This escape encompasses the Men’s stages 7 & 8 AND the overlapping Women’s Stages 1 & 2. It's going to be epic and fun.
Swiss Romande is western Switzerland bordering France. More than chocolate and cows with bells, watches and secretive banks, Swiss Romande is dominated by the French Alps, the Alps Vaudoise and the Oberland Alps; and the mighty Rhone River flowing into Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) the largest lake in Western Europe. Industrialised valleys, varied crops of canola, sunflowers, pastures and forests, extensive south facing vineyard terraces, quaint ancient towns and villages, chateaux, ski resorts and superb cycle routes throughout. Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey and Montreux line the shores and are home to Nestle, the Olympic Headquarters and other world renown corporations, organisations and events such as the Montreux Jazz Festival. Further up stream in Aigle, you find the host for all the world cycle race events, the UCI.
The Grand Tours Project headquarters is nestled 2 km from Villars-sur-Ollon and we can’t wait to show off the very best of our region. We have to admit that the routes chosen for the last 2 men’s stages and the women’s 3 stages are our training grounds… It almost feels like someone at Grand Tours Project designed the routes!
Add in the start of summer temperatures, superb accommodation, Swiss cuisine, local wines and very knowledgeable guides… a perfect long weekend escape! If this appeals to you, or you want flexibility and customisation, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Total price: On Request
- Ride some of the best roads of Switzerland, an underrated cycling paradise
- Race the ITT route from UCI Aigle to Villars-sur-Ollon in the morning before the race starts
- Be there for the men's Final Stage and winner of the Tour de Suisse
- Watch the Women's Stage 2 and the Men’s Stage 8 ITT Finish in Villars-sur-Ollon
- Enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Tour de Suisse and the support of the fans
- Visit the popular mountain resort of Villars-sur-Ollon
- Savour local Swiss cuisine and delicious wines and relax in a hand-picked high-quality hotel each evening
- Expert planning, guiding and support by our local team
- Bike rental (carbon frame and Shimano Ultegra or equivalent) available
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Day 1 - Friday 14 June
Bienvenue en Suisse Romande !
hotel near Villars-sur-OllonThe GTP Team will meet you at Geneva Airport and transfer you around Lac Leman or at Aigle Station, to Villars-su-Ollon and your hotel. We will help you to check in and unpack your bike or set up your rental bike. After a light lunch or snack, take the opportunity to test ride the bikes and ride to magnificent Solalex and back. Back at our hotel, we can adjust the bikes, change and then explore Villars before dinner and the tour briefing.
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Day 2 - Saturday 15 June
WOMEN’S STAGE 1 OR MEN’S STAGE 7 VILLARS LOOP
58.9 km | 1,541 m or 118.7 km | 3,070 m
hotel near Villars-sur-OllonAfter an early breakfast, the GTP team will guide you along the official race route and pretty much our local training hills! First up, Col de la Croix and then down into Les Diablerets before a fast descent into Aigle and along the flat Rhone Valley past Ollon towards Bex. Then it's onto normally quiet country lanes past Abbaye de Salaz and the vineyards back up to the main road to Villars. The women’s Stage 1 race route finishes here and the Men’s race route repeats the same loop - all depends upon road closures if you want to Ride Every Kilometre of the men’s Stage 7. At the hotel refresh and change and then join the fans to cheer on the pros as they arrive at the finish.
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Day 3 - Sunday 16 June
UCI AIGLE - VILLARS-SUR-OLLON ITT
15.7 km | 879 m
hotel near Villars-sur-OllonFingers crossed the weather is kind because the ITT route is magnificent. Both the men and the women will ride the exact same route, so a very early start in order to ride before the roads are closed. You will be transferred to Aigle UCI and then ride a straightforward route through Aigle, into Ollon and back onto the main road to Villars - part of the same route as the day before. Return to the hotel to change and then back to the Arrivee zone to cheer on the riders as they arrive. Dinner at a local mountain restaurant for the last evening
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Day 4 - Monday 17 June
DEPARTURE DAY PLUS OPTIONAL UNESCO LAVAUX RIDE
54 km | 470 m | 1,230 m descent
No need for an early breakfast today. Depending upon your departure flight, we would like to propose a final and relaxed ride in one of Grand Tours Project’s favourite places - through the UNESCO Heritage Lavaux Vineyards. The Tour de Suisse Women’s final stage will also pass through the here. The route passes along a corniche that looks down on terraces of ancient vineyards and the blue waters of Lac Leman and offers views across to the Alps that create the border between Switzerland and France - these views are quite simply stupendous and a fitting way to end a long weekend escape. Whether you choose to ride or not, the team will arrange for you to be transferred to Geneva Airport for your flight home or the nearest train station if you are departing by train.