UCI World Championships 2020 with Santini - Martigny, Switzerland

Welcome to Switzerland and our home in Villars.

We will meet you at Geneva airport and transport you to our beautiful hotel in Villars-sur-Ollon.

After preparing the bikes and a light lunch, we’ll set off for a ride to some of our favourite places – Taveyanne and Solalex.

Once there, we ride back to Villars to discuss the program followed by a dinner at the hotel.

Something different today - a visit to the Aigle Velodrome at the UCI HQ. We will be able to visit today and during the week. There is a possibility of a track cycling session on Pinarello bikes in the velodrome! Also we will be meeting some Santini National Teams!

Decision time – relax at UCI "Le Vélodrome" café - restaurant to watch the race live and on the screens OR ride to Martigny and watch the riders cross the finish.

We can either ride back to Villars or take the shuttle to our hotel for dinner!

We’ll depart and climb to Col de la Croix before heading down to the ski town Les Diablerets, with jaw dropping views. A small detour will take us through the iconic Swiss scenery of forests and open pastures with Swiss cows with bells, to Les Mosses. Then we’ll descend through the vineyards around the picturesque Chateau d’Aigle to UCI. With VIP access we'll be able to see first hand the dedication of the riders. You can ride back to Villars or take the shuttle.

Dinner at Les Ecovets Restaurant.

Today we cycle through the vineyards of Ollon and past Chateau d’Aigle to Villeneuve on Lac Leman (Lake Geneva), and then along the shores to postcard perfect Chateau de Chillon. If the weather is warm, a swim in the lake is recommended as well as photos - mountains lake, chateau, your bike and…you, swimming!

After a short break, we’ll ride back to Ollon. You can opt for the shuttle or ride up through the beautiful vineyards from Ollon and Bex to Villars.

Dinner at a Villars restaurant.

Today is going to be epic – we ride to Col de Sanetsch, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful and iconic cols. A bucket list climb. We recommend an early start to give you time to stop and admire the views. Lunch will be at the quaint Auberge du Sanetsch overlooking the Lac de Senin. After lunch we descend by a self-service cable car to the Bernese village of Gsteig; and then a gentle ascent to Col du Pillon and down to Les Diablerets. One more optional climb up to Col de La Croix (back side) or take the shuttle to Villars.

Say goodbye Villars. We descend on the bikes to the Rhone Valley and ride to Martigny to test ride the final circuits of the UCI Road World Cup.

After Martigny, we'll meander through vineyards towards ancient Sion, and a place that has been occupied from at least 6200BC. We can wander the old streets on our bikes or by foot…or even by driverless electric bus!

Optional shuttle to our hotel in Veysonnaz or you can choose to ride up.

A delicious dinner will be found in Veysonnaz.

After breakfast, we transfer to peaceful Champex Lac and then descend to Orsières and further descent to Sembrancher. Here we start climbing to Mauvoisin Dam.

Interesting fact for you: Mauvoisin Dam is the 8^th highest dam in the world!

We will meet at the base of the dam for a well-deserved picnic and then either enjoy a long descent or take the shuttle to Martigny to watch the finish of the U23 Men road race.

Today we have a quick transfer to Sembrancher and return to Orsières. A quick refuel and then back on our bikes to climb the quiet road to Ars Dessous and stop for a delicious lunch at Alpage des Ars, surrounded by mountain pastures and the sounds of cow bells. We'll descend to Sembrancher or to Martigny to watch the Men Junior and
Women Elite Road Race. We'll transfer you back to the hotel to relax or a hike to a scenic lookout to watch the sunset.

A sleep-in, a leisurely breakfast, or a quick bike ride… your choice!

At a designated time, we’ll transfer to Martigny to watch the UCI Elite Mens World Championship Road Race from a Santini / GTP tent positioned on a great spot of the route and surrounded by cheering crowds. VIP passes are available for purchase.

After the podium presentations we will return to our hotel for our final dinner.

It's departure day and after breakfast, we will bid farewell to new friends before transferring you to Geneva Airport.

We hope that the combined experiences of close hand action of the UCI Martigny World Championships, of riding the Swiss river valleys and mountain passes, as well as visiting our home territory, will bring you back to Switzerland for more rides and tours. There are so many rides here and even 8-9 days of riding is not enough!

Until next time, safe journey home.