Le Tour du Mont Blanc

A major four-day Alpine tour, through France, Switzerland and Italy, encircling the Mont Blanc massif.

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TDMB) is firmly established as a classic ride: in a recent Sunday Times feature, it was described as one of Europe's toughest. With a total vertical gain of over 9000m, the route constantly climbs and falls through spectacular mountain scenery.There are leg-breaking climbs to reach, and electric descents down from, several famous mountain passes – Col de Petit St Bernard, Cormet de Roseland, Col des Saisies – many of which have featured in the Tour De France, the Giro d’Italia and the Tour of Switzerland. Accommodation is in select 3 star hotels, all serving excellent regional food.

Many riders use the June TDMB dates as a key part of their training schedule for the Étape du Tour: day four of the TDMB crosses three alpine cols which formed the course of the Étape in 2002. The group size is limited to 12 clients to ensure the highest level of service and support can be provided. The Climb feature

Thursday - arrive into Geneva

Arrive at Geneva airport in the afternoon or evening. You will be met and driven in a shuttle to Chamonix: transfer time approx. 90 minutes. Unpack bikes and gather for dinner in the highly acclaimed restaurant at the Hotel Eden.

Friday - Chamonix to Champex Lac - 56km

After breakfast, we assemble and check the bikes before setting off up the Chamonix Valley, climbing Col des Montets (1,461m) and descending into Switzerland. The next climb brings us to Col des Forclaz (1,527m) for a fast descent into the Rhône Valley. The third climb of the day starts on the valley floor, in the outskirts of Martigny, and ends at our hotel in the quiet and beautiful lakeside village of Champex, high in the Swiss Alps.

Saturday - Champex to Pré-Saint-Didier -110km

The day begins with a swift descent through picturesque villages to Orsières on the floor of the historic Val d’Entremont. There is a long and gentle ascent up the main valley road before forking off to climb the Col du Grand St Bernard (2,473m). In June, this climb can be spectacular, with walls of snow banking the higher sections of the road. Once over the border into Italy, there is a long, fast downhill to Aosta, followed by a steady climb up to our base for the night in the old spa town of Pré-Saint-Didier. Note: There is an option to ride Colle san Carlo, adding 30km.

Sunday - Pré-Saint-Didier to Hautluce -105km

The day begins with a steady 23.5km climb to Col de Petit St Bernard (2,188m). We cross back into France for the descent to Bourg St Maurice. This is the southern end of the Mont Blanc massif and there are superb views of the high mountains ascending Cormet de Roseland (1,968m) – a tough climb where Miguel Indurain ‘bonked’ during the 1996 Tour De France, ending his chance of a record sixth consecutive victory. A long, fast descent past the turquoise Lac de Roseland and through pine forests ends in Beaufort. The final climb brings us to village of Hautluce.

Monday - Hautluce to Chamonix -149km

The final day is tough. It starts with a short warm up spin on a flat section, before climbing Col des Saisies (1,633m) – another hard climb that features in the Tour de France: Floyd Landis famously launched his ‘miracle charge’ in 2006 on this mountain, later testing positive for testosterone! We then race down to the small town of Flumet before launching into Col des Aravis (1,498m). After a short descent through La Grand Bornand we climb the Col de la Colombière (1,618m), a leg-breaking pass with an arduous final stretch, connecting the Arve and Borne valleys. There is a thrilling, technical descent to Cluses and a flat section before the final, gentler climb on back roads, to reach Chamonix. Overnight here unless you have an evening flight back to the UK, in which case there will be time to shower and pack before transferring to the airport for flights departing 9.00pm onwards. Note: There is an alternative final day route via Megeve which reduces the distance by 50km.