Marmotte Description

 

Marmotte Diploma Times

Cat

Age

Gold

Silver

Fem A

<40

10:03

12:04

Fem AB

40+

10:17

12:21

B

<29

10:32

12:39

C

20-29

8:29

10:11

D

30-39

8:49

10:35

E

40-49

9:15

11:06

F

50-59

9:36

11:32

G

60+

10:03

12:04

 

La Marmotte Cyclosportive

The Marmotte Cyclosportive is the original, and possibly the most difficult, Cyclosportive with 5000m of climbing over 174 km (110 miles). The course starts at Bourg d’Oisans, climbs the Col de Glandon, descends into the Maurienne Valley, climbs the Col de la Telegraph, the Col de Galibier, drops down to the Col de Lauteret, then down to Bourg d’Oisans and finally climbs up to Alpe d’Huez for the finish, and food. If you can't face the climb to Alpe d'Huez you can finish in Bourg d'Oisans and get a time for the 'Marmotton'.

You’ve no doubt read or heard about the Etape du Tour, and the Marmotte is run in a similar fashion except that the roads are not closed to traffic. The standard is fairly high at the front with many top amateurs and budding (and ex) pros taking part. The rest of the field (nowadays between 6000 to 7000) consists mostly of Dutch cyclists. The winner finishes in about 6 hours whilst the last takes over 11hrs. There are sag wagons for those who drop out.

For recently food stations (ravitaillements) are only located at Valloire and Bourg d'Oisans. However there are several water stations. Several tour companies have their own foodstations.

The Circuit

Also read one of the Gastrobiker's memories of 2004 event here>

Since 2008 riders are started in groups of 2000 from 7am onwards. There are about 10km of 'flat' before the climbing starts.

The Col de Glandon

The Col de la Glandon is a difficult climb which isn't made any easier by the changes in gradients and the numbers of cyclists. There's a short, steep descent followed by a steep climb where the road goes round a landslide. Once past the dam the gradient becomes more consistent. The Col de Glandon is about 3km before the summit of the Croix de Fer.

At the top is a 'ravitaillement' (food station) which can get rather busy. The descent off the top is dangerous to say the least and rather stressful. The road is steep, about 11%, and narrow at the top and there are cyclists all over the road; some descending carefully, some at speed but in control, others pushing their limits trying to make up time and making life hell for everyone else. It's no wonder that there are many crashes on this section of road.

The descent to St.Jean-la-Maurienne will take about half an hour.

The Maurienne Valley

The road along the valley to St.Michelle is a very gradual climb and usually there's a head wind. This is where you need to get with a group and shelter, eat and drink. The 30km will take you about an hour.

Col de Telegraph

At St.Michelle the climb to the Col du Telegraph (water station) is an abrupt change in gradient.

From the Telegraph there's a 6km decent to Valliore. Once a quiet summer resort it's now full of Quad bikes. At Valloire the Ravitaillement is a few km out of town.

Col de Galibier

It's now a serious climb to the Galibier.

There's another water point before the hairpin section, after which you'll get a glimpse of the top. At the Galibier there's a steepish bit after the road tunnel - remember to smile at the photographers. Some years at the very top there's a nice bank of snow. You'll be pleased to get to the ravitaillement. Take time to eat something and take in the scenery - if it's not foggy/snowy/rainy/windy.

Col de Lauteret

Depending on the temperature, you might want to put a windproof on as it's now a long descent to the Col de Lauteret and on to Bourg d'Oisans. The road after the Lauteret can be very busy and there are 3 or 4 fairly long, fume filled tunnels which can be rather scary. Again, you need to get in a group, eat and drink.

Alpe d'Huez

At Bourg d'Oisans there is a final ravitaillement (on the right as you turn onto the Alpe d'Huez road). The bottom of the climb is usually lined with a good crowd of cheering and clapping families (mostly Dutch I would think) and they certainly give you that extra bit of drive. Imagine you're Lance and just keep pedalling - although you might feel more like Chipollini. Take time to find your rythme which is not easy on the steep gradients. At La Garde there is a water point so make sure you have a full bottle, or two here. You can always poor it out later if you decide you don't need it all.

 

If you arrive at the bottom of the climb with little in reserve it will take you about one hour fifty minutes to get to the finish. Plenty of riders will be suffering at this stage. Once at the finish, there's food and drink available. You can collect your certificate a few hours after you've finished on the following morning.