Challenge Vercors Cyclosportive

Sun 27 May 2012

Formerly called the Challenge du Dauphiné-Libéré, the Challenge Vercors is now organised by Sportcommunication (who organise the more famous Marmotte) and is part of the Grand Trophy series.

Most years it attracts between 1000 and 1200 participants. It's the first mountainous event of the season and attracts both serious cyclosportivers and other cyclists out to enjoy the scenery and the atmosphere.

There are three distances to choose from:

The 102km circuit is the most popular one and offers four climbs. It's a good choice for people who haven't managed to get a great deal of cycling in over the winter and want to take part in a cyclosportive.

The full 170km circuit is considerably more challenging and includes the tough climbs amounting to 3380m of climbing. This includes 1179m over Col de la Chau and the spectacular Col de la Machine and Combe Laval.

The third circuit is 59km with 1100m of climbing and is run as a 'Randonnee' meaning it isn't timed.

The event starts in Villard-de-Lans with a fairly hectic 10km to Lans-en-Vercors and a the first climb of the day over the Col de la Croix Perrin to Autrans. A fast charge down the valley is followed by the Col de Herbouilly. The descent off this is fast and technical. The first big climb of the day is the 1179m climb over Col de la Chau and a fast descent to Vassieux. The Col de St.Alexis takes you down the valley to St.Agnan then to St.Martin-en-Vercors and a return climb up the unrelenting Col de Herbouilly. This was where a certain Floyd Landis led the peloton in the 2003 Tour de France. Finally you have the descent to the finish at Villard-de-Lans.

Circuit	Distance	Climbing
Touriste	59km	1100m
Middle	102km	2000m
Long	170km	3380m

Fitness

The 102km is quite a good circuit with some medium climbs but nothing major. If you can manage an 80km ride you'll be OK. In contrast the extra loop added for the 170km is very demanding and a good level of fitness is required for this circuit.

If you are planning on doing one of the big cyclosportives later in the year, such as the Marmotte or the Etape du Tour, this is a good one to include as part of your build-up. If you haven't taken part in a French cyclosportive before this is a good event for getting some experience.