Looking for a gran fondo that combined well with Alpe d'Huez, I came across the Galibier Challenge. This event took place on June 2, on the first day the Galibier was open. Given last winter's massive snowfall, it was still a little tense whether it would all work out. Spoiler: the gran fondo was able to go ahead!
This gran fondo is one that I really liked. The organization was excellent, and there were no massive, chaotic conditions like in the bigger, more well-known gran fondos. In the same weekend, there was also a gravel race, so for those who enjoy both gravel and climbing, this is a perfect event.
The gran fondo (or 'cyclosportive' as the French say) had 577 participants. The start box filled up only in the last 20 minutes, and the race began with a neutralized section through the village for the first 1.5 km. After that, there was no chaotic pushing and shoving: the road to the first climb was a wide road uphill. The first climb (Orelle) is one that I was able to do entirely on the big ring. I positioned myself well at the front.
After this first obstacle, a group of about eighty men was left on their way to the first real col of the day, Col de Beau Plan. With 11 km at 6.5%, it was not to be underestimated and was unknown to many. The pace increased, and halfway up, only about forty men remained. I had to let the leading group go 3 km before the top to avoid blowing myself up. I kept them within a few hundred meters, but unfortunately, the gap widened on the dangerous descent. I took no chances and was overtaken by some locals.
At the foot of the Col du Télégraphe, I saw the second group riding and closed the gap. I conserved my energy and reached the top, knowing that the monster of the Galibier would follow immediately after. On the short descent to Valloire, I closed a small gap with seven others. Then began the long climb of the Galibier: 18 km at 7%. At the turn onto the steepest part at Plan Lachat, there were only three of us left from this group. The air became thinner, and slowly the landscape transformed into a winter wonderland.
At the start of the first snow walls, I accelerated and left the last two in my group behind. This move secured me the second spot in my age group and a commendable ninth place in the overall ranking. Finishing between the towering snow walls is downright epic! I am very pleased with this result, especially considering that a few weeks ago, I was unable to ride due to a pelvic fracture from a crash. The fact that the finish was at the tunnel and not on top of the summit (which was still closed) did not bother anyone.
The organization provided a finish bag at the summit for everyone, allowing us to put on warm clothes for the descent, which was very nice! The neutralized descent back to the start/finish village felt like a well-earned reward. Once we arrived at the bottom, it was like summer, and we all enjoyed a perfectly organized pasta party. What a great day!
All results can be found here.