Cycling Tour of Mont Blanc 2026
About This Event
At 205 miles with 27,000 feet of elevation gain, the Cycling Tour of Mont Blanc presents one of cycling’s most formidable single-day challenges. Starting under headlamps at 5 am from Les Saisies, riders circumnavigate the highest peak in the Alps on a route that strings together legendary climbs featured in the Tour de France and other World Tour events.
The course tackles the Col des Montets, Col de la Forclaz, Station de Champex-lac, Col du Grand Saint Bernard, Col du Petit St. Bernard, and the imposing Cormet de Roseland. Each ascent brings its own character—from the technical switchbacks of the Forclaz to the sustained gradient of the Grand Saint Bernard—while the descents demand complete focus and skill.
Solo riders can take on the full circuit, or teams of two can split duties with a relay exchange at the halfway point on the Grand Saint Bernard pass. The duo format allows partners to tackle this monster course while sharing the workload, though both options require extensive preparation and serious mountain cycling experience.
The route showcases the dramatic beauty of the Mont Blanc massif, threading through three countries as it circles the iconic peak. Riders traverse alpine valleys, pass pristine lakes, and climb through landscapes that shift from French countryside to Swiss precision to Italian drama. The combination of technical climbing, demanding distance, and stunning Alpine scenery creates an experience that tests both physical limits and rewards with unmatched mountain vistas.
This is cycling’s ultimate Alpine odyssey, produced by Cycling Classics as part of the Marmotte Gran Fondo Series.
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