La Marmotte 2018: GranFondo Cycling Tour with Ronan Pensec
July 8th, 2018
Program Category: Cyclosportive
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Dates: 07/06/2018 – 07/09/2018
Program Highlights: Guaranteed entry included, one of the best hotels in town, newly renovated and close to the finish line, experienced bilingual (English/French) support staff and dedicated mechanic, safe transportation of your bike and luggage from airport to hotel,etc…
Start & Finish: Geneva Airport – Geneva Airport
Tour de France Viewings: Not applicable
Rates: €925 Single Room / €730 Twin or Double Room
For many sportive riders “La Marmotte” is the ultimate European sportive and the one with the greatest reputation worldwide.
Around 7,500 riders take part each year on the first Saturday in July. However, next year, the race will take place on Sunday July 2nd. It is the cyclosportive that needs to have been made at least once in a cyclist’s life. It is the most mythical cyclosportive event of the Grand Trophée and the one with the greatest reputation worldwide.
The route is considered to be one of the hardest of any cyclosportive, covering a distance of 174km (108 mi). The distance features more than 5180 metres of climbing over some of the cols that have largely contributed to the greatness of the Tour de France and to the reputation of numerous great riders (Col du Glandon, Alpe d’Huez, etc…) The town of Bourg d’Oisans hosts the start of the event, while the finish will be at the Palais des Sports in Alpe d’Huez.
Bourg d’Oisans – Alpe d’Huez (174 km)
THE TOUR PACKAGE
With this program, we offer you to spend 3 nights in Alpe d’Huez at the 3* Hotel Club MMV Les Bergers on half board basis (bed and breakfast with dinner – wine and water included). You will be one of the privileged riders who will be provided with accommodation at the finish, enabling you to ride directly to your hotel once you have crossed the finish line. There you will be able to refresh and take a well deserved rest.
PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS:
- With a limited number of entries available, we are in a position to offer you a very exclusive and personalized program with 3* accommodation on half board, airport transfers and the assistance of our representatives.
- Our tour leader / mechanic will be on hand to help you assemble your bike and give some advices if needed.
- Included in this program is the airport shuttle (on day 1 and day 4) from/to Geneva (CH) airport for yourself and your bike.
- You will be staying for 3 nights in the hotel, which will spare you the hassle of moving from one hotel to the other. The hotel we booked for you is located in Alpe d’Huez (where then finish of the race will take place) and about 14 km from Bourg d’Oisans where the start will be given. The ride (descent only) from the hotel to the starting line will serve you as a short warming up.
- After the race, you will be able to ride the few meters to your accommodation where you will be able to take a shower, put some fresh clothes and relax.
- Upon request, we can arrange for massages before and/or after the event.
YOUR TRAVEL
Please arrange your own flights into Geneva airport (GVA – Switzerland).
The following airlines operate direct regular flights into Geneva airport: (www.gva.ch/en/)
Flights are going to be in very high demand and there will be limited space for bikes on each flight. We recommend booking early in order to secure your seat and get the best fares. Don’t forget to book a spot on the plane for your bike when purchasing your flight to avoid disapointment.
Our guide will meet you at the airport and will accompany you on the ride to your hotel.
- Air France (www.airfrance.com) London
- Aer Lingus (http://www.aerlingus.com) Dublin
- Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, London
- Swiss Air (www.swiss.com) London
- British Airways (www.britishairways.com) London
Please note: Because of the long ride from Geneva Airport to Alpe d’Huez (2 ½ -3 hours), we plan on having only one bus transfer from the airport to the hotel. Therefore and in order to facilitate the organization, we kindly ask you to book a flight that arrives in Geneva on July 6th not later than 1:00pm. The bus will be scheduled to leave around 2:00pm. On July 9th, there will also be only one transfer to the airport, therefore we ask you to book flights that depart after 3:00pm.
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Friday July 6th
Group: Bus transfer from Geneva airport – Alpe d’Huez
Hotel: 3* Hotel Club MMV Les Bergers in Alpe d’Huez for 3 nights
Welcome!
Our staff will welcome you by the customs’ exit at Geneva’s airport (Swiss side), from where you will board a bus that will bring you to Alpe d’Huez. Geneva airport – Alpe d’Huez: Transfer times to be determined – 209 km ( 129,9 miles) – 2 hours 48 min. Alpe d’Huez, also called “The Island in the Sunshine”, enjoys long periods of sunshine (an average of 300 sunny days a year).
Accomodation
You will be accommodated for the next 3 nights at the 3* Hotel Club MMV Les Bergers (room, breakfast, dinner – wine and water included- and city taxes) located at approx. 600 meters from the finish line.
MMV Les Bergers***
Les Bergers
38750 L’Alpe d’Huez
+33 4 89 06 66 30
Click here to visit the hotel’s website
L’Alpe d’Huez is one of the main mountains in the Tour de France. The climb is 13, 8 km at an average 8, 1 per cent, with 21 hairpin bends. It was first included in the race in 1952 and has been a stage finish regularly since 1976. Alpe d’Huez is also called the “Dutch Mountain”, a Dutchman having won eight of the first 14 finishes of the Tour de France. The first Alpe d’Huez stage was won by Fausto Coppi. Coppi attacked 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from the summit to rid himself of the French rider Jean Robic. He turned the Alpe into an instant legend because this was the year that motorcycle television crews first came to the Tour. It was also the Tour’s first mountain-top finish.
The Hotel Club MMV which has been entirely renovated and newly classified as a four star Holiday Village offers you family holidays devoted to friendliness and relaxation. This Hotel Club situated in the Alpe d’Huez ski station has 194 modern bedrooms, a large terrace facing south, an entertainment room and bar, its completely new Spa Sensoriel, including a sauna, a hammam and beauty treatments rooms for massages and personalized well-being services. The facilities in the hotel are an invitation to relaxation and entertainment and promise you an invigorating stay!
The rooms are equipped with a flat-screen television, a safe for belongings, etc…You will find all the necessary comforts to enable you to relax after a long day. Every day, you will enjoy a complete hotel service…
Click the arrows to scroll through the hotel photos
After you’ve checked in, you will be free to become familiar and acclimated with the area by going for a ride. Once you have unpacked and assembled your bike, you may also have the time to start warming-up for the big day or visit the village to pick up your bib number and/or relax at the hotel.
Upon request, we can also arrange for a masseur/masseuse to come before the event and/or after the race. In the evening, you will have your first dinner with the group at the hotel’s restaurant. This will be the opportunity to get to know the other persons in the group.
Day 2: Saturday July 7th
Group: Day off / visit to the village to pick up the bib number
Hotel: 3* Hotel Club MMV Les Bergers in Alpe d’Huez
If you have not done so already, you will need to pick up your start number at the village of La Marmotte. The village will be set up at the Palais des Sports, avenue des Brandes. During the two days before the race, this village acts as a gathering point for all participants (7 500), where they can pick up their numbers.
The village is free and open to everybody and welcomes thousands of visitors who will be able to visit the different stands. Not only is it a genuine meeting place for all actors of the cycling community, but also an exhibition with the showcasing and sales of new products and a celebration with numerous animations. After your visit to the village, you may also want to go stretch your legs and get a sneak peek at the first kilometers of the stage, or relax at the hotel in preparation for tomorrow.
If you need to bring some tweaking to your bike, our mechanic will be available for any last minute assistance. On the last evening before the race, you will relax over a dinner especially prepared to give you all the energy that you will need for the upcoming challenge.
Day 3: Sunday July 8th
Group: D-day – La Marmotte
Hotel: 3* Hotel Club MMV Les Bergers in Alpe d’Huez
Today is the day!
The race’s start time is 7.00am but the check in will start at 6:00am. After an early breakfast, you will ride your bike to the start. The descent from Alpe d’Huez to Bourg d’Oisans will help you warm up. Our staff will be waiting for you at the bottom of the descent to collect your windbreakers, shirts, etc… Whatever you have been wearing to keep you warm during the descent from Alpe d’Huez.
Once you have crossed the finish line, you will be able to ride directly to your hotel and refresh. Then you can join the Palais des Sports where there will still be exhibitors and animations at the village. And what a better occasion to regain your strength again than taking part in the pasta party that will be going on from noon onwards!
Later in the afternoon, the award ceremony will take place and this is with a great sense of accomplishment that you will take part in it and have the opportunity to exchange and share your impressions with the other riders. Around 8:00pm, we will then invite you to your last dinner with us at the hotel’s restaurant. Tonight we will ask you also to pack your luggage and your bike in its case in order to facilitate the transfer to the airport tomorrow morning. If you need assistance with your bike, don’t hesitate to ask our staff.
Day 4: Monday July 9th
Group: Transfer to airport
This morning’s breakfast will be enjoyed with a great sense of accomplishment. You deserve to feel proud and we hope that you will be encouraged to participate again in the future. You’ll leave the hotel in Alpe d’Huez and return to Geneva airport. Our staff will join you on this transfer. We will operate one airport transfer from the hotel to Geneva at 10:45am. Alpe d’Huez to Geneva Airport: 209 km ( 129,9 miles) – 2 hours 48 min. We hope you enjoyed your stay with us and wish you a nice and safe trip back home!
4 days / 3 nights
Half board / 3* Hotel Club MMV Les Bergers in Alpe d’Huez
Room sharing in twin
€730 per person
Enquire Now
4 days / 3 nights
Half board / 3* Hotel Club MMV Les Bergers in Alpe d’Huez
Room sharing in Single room
€925 per person
Enquire Now
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
- Accommodation for 3 nights 3* Hotel Club MMV Les Bergers in Alpe d’Huez: rooms with private bathroom including toilets, a tub and / or a shower.
- 3 Breakfasts, and 3 dinners, water & wine included.
- Entry to the race
- Transfer in a private coach from Geneva airport to your hotel on day 1, and back to the
- Box trailer / van for the safekeeping and transport of your bike in your bike bags/ boxes.
- Assistance of our guide/mechanic/advisor
- Local taxes
In order to secure your reservation, we require a deposit payment of 40% at time of registration; the balance being due between May 1st and May 15th 2018.
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Lunches
- Personal hotel expenses, mini bar, telephone, room service
- Travel and personal insurance
- Airfare
(1) Please note that if you are travelling by yourself but are willing to share your room with another single participant, we will do our best to find you a roommate. Should we not be in a position to do so and you end up therefore staying in a room by yourself, we will have to charge you the single room rate.