DÉFI DU TOURMALET

The Défi du Tourmalet begins at dawn, just after the start of the Granfondo distance, in the heart of the village of Argelès-Gazost. Once the bell rings, all the tension evaporates with the first pedal strokes to the cheers of the fans. After a short loop of warm-up kilometres, the first difficulty of the day appeared: the first of the two climbs up the Col du Tourmalet, a legendary climb and one of the high points of the Tour de France. It’s a long, fairly regular climb that will kick-start the day’s hostilities.

Once at the summit, you’ll have the first opportunity to refuel before taking a rest on the long descent.

The descent will seem short, however, because at the bottom there’s only one thing left to do: turn around. Yes, now you have to climb back up again.

This second ascent of the Col du Tourmalet is your penultimate difficulty of the day, but keep your pedal to the metal as the ascent of Hautacam is likely to have a few surprises in store for you on your way to becoming a Finisher in this legendary event.