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Haute Route Dolomites Swiss Alps, Day 4, Passo del Stelvio 2757m - Photo Manu Molle
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An amazing feat! - especially when the weather in those
mountain ranges this summer has been on the cool side and rainy.
The Haute Route event is stated as the “Highest and Toughest
Cyclosportives in the World” for amateur riders. The 7-day road race events are
professionally run with a support team of road-side medical and mechanical
services, timing services and media as well as baggage transport, feed-zone
provisions, and massage. It is the best “treated like a pro” race event for
everyday riders.
This year, the organizer OC Sport are holding three 7-day
events back-to-back travelling through three different European mountain ranges
point-to-point…
starting outside of Venice going through the Dolomites then Swiss
Alps towards Geneva,
down through the French Alps to Nice,
with a hop over to Barcelona through the Pyrenees towards
the Atlantic Coast ending in Biarritz. Quite the organizational feat as well!
The majority of the participants take on one of the 7-day
events. This year, 20 participants will try two of the 7-day events termed Iron
riders, while 11 participants decided to attempt completing all three 7-day events
in a row for the Triple Crown challenge!
While the logistics to complete the three events in just
over three weeks seems daunting, the racers who attempt this challenge are focused.
At first I guessed only 30% would finish. As a former extreme multi-sport
athlete myself, I know better. When I pursue a large challenge, I ensure to
take care to endure to the finish.
I considered taking on this Triple Crown challenge. Back in
2001, I went in a solo adventure race which covered the whole length of New
Zealand in 28-days travelling by mountain biking, paddling, running as well as
road biking. Of all 70 athletes that started, everyone finished. It took a
certain spirit to want to complete the amazing journey. My body went into a
survival mode as well enabling any injury or slight illness to stay at bay.
I am curious of the strategies these Triple Crown challenge
riders will share.
As I am currently in Europe, a part of me wished I started
with that group of 11 Triple Crown racers in the first event from Venice and
are now in the midst of the second event headed for Nice.
Instead, I decided to take on a new event called the Haute
Route Compact held simultaneously with the second 7-day Alps event. The Compact
included the same first 2 stages as well as the Prologue. The organizers
introduced this shorter event for riders to try, and ultimately decide to enter
the longer event in the future.
I used the Compact as a warm-up for the upcoming 7-day
Pyrenees event which begins after the Alps event concludes. Having the few days
in between allows the opportunity for me to get accustomed to the time zone change
and to enjoy a few tourist days i.e. find great dark chocolate!
After arriving by plane in Geneva, I went down to the
waterfront with the 140m high Jet d’Eau in sight (famous jet of water) and
reflecting a lovely rainbow. It was Day 7 of the first event Dolomites and
Swiss Alps and the riders were arriving into the finish.
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| Racers arrive Day 7 into the finish in Geneva - Dolomites Swiss Alps |
Upon seeing the many familiar faces from prior Haute Route races, I felt sad for a moment that I had missed out that past week to spend time with them. Most of these riders had been enticed to try out the inaugural Dolomites event. I also knew there were a whole new bunch of riders to meet in the upcoming events.
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| Ascent of Passo di Giau Day 1 at the Dolomites event – photo Manu Molle |
Despite extreme cold and wet weather, all 11 Triple Crown contenders made it to the Dolomites finish line Day 7, and are successfully continuing on.
The only Triple Crown woman is Amy Brice from UK, who
finished high (5th) in the women’s overall field.
Two of the Triple Crown racers, John Hamblett from UK and
Nicolas Raybaud from France, were racing amongst the speedy men’s field and
finished competitively within the top 16 overall standings.
Christian Haettich from France has completed all Haute Route
events since they began in 2011. In spite of the extra effort of riding with
only one leg and one arm, he is determined to use the power of the mind to
conquer the Triple Crown challenge.
I met a group of Norwegian riders with one of them
acknowledging he was riding the Triple Crown. “You must be Ottar”, I said since
I had read his profile in the Haute Route 2014 Official Guide. He smiled and
was surprised at my recognition of him. I asked if he rode a certain strategic
pace knowing he had three events to complete. He said he had just the one pace
and jokingly claimed it was slow. I think he was comparing himself to his
speedier Norwegian comrades.
Nuno Luz from Portugal, an Iron rider in 2013 completing
both the Alps event and Pyrenees event, was feeling good at the Dolomites
finish. He said he made sure to keep his pace comfortable and the weather was
not an issue. It gave him the opportunity to ride with slower friends enjoying time
with them. He even stopped to help other riders whenever necessary.
Will Levy who is the tour operator for Two Wheel Tours out
of Australia is spending time riding with riders in his tour group at various
ability levels. Will is known to take awesome photographs while riding during
the events. I have a few of those photos from past races!
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Fergus Grant in the Lanterne Rouge role – photo Manu Mole
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Fergus Grant from France is given the arduous role of
“Lanterne Rouge” and is the motivational guy that keeps the riders at the very back
of the field moving forward. While it is his job, he is still considered the 12th
Triple Crown rider. He mentioned how important it is for him to keep bundled up
as he is travelling at a slower pace.
I look forward to meeting the rest of the Triple Crown riders and gaining more insight to their strategies to the finish line in Biarritz at the Haute Route Pyrenees.
HAUTE ROUTE COMPACT - Synopsis
This year I rode the inaugural Haute Route Compact event. My
plan was to enter the third event in the Pyrenees the following week. The
shortened Compact event was an ideal way to warm up to the steep climbs. Rather
than going on my own training rides, it was super to have a designated course
to follow and other racers to ride with.
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Day 1 Alps event, riders leaving Geneva – photo Manu Molle
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The Compact event, a shortened version of the 7-day Alps
event, included the prologue and the first 2 stages. 35 riders participated in
the Compact event with new riders having varying thoughts to possibly entering
a full event in the future.
Why would a rider be interested in a Compact version?
Speaking with a few of the Compact finishers on our shuttle bus ride back to
Geneva end of Day 2 gave me their perspective.
One couple from Australia living in the UK had previously
taken part in epic 1-day events. The man stated those races had mostly recreational
riders. He was surprised by the high caliber of racers at the Haute Route event.
The woman disliked technical descending so was not too keen to complete a 7-day
event. Her partner felt otherwise that he felt he was ready for the 7-day event
at this time.
For others, time and money were factors to choose the
Compact. For working people, it was easier to escape for a few days. Others,
the cost for fewer days was within their budget.
A Swedish woman living in Lausanne, was thrilled she kept
ahead of the sweep vehicle and managed to ride in a latter group of cyclists
toward the end. At times when she was riding alone, she had her own motorcycle
escort. She is interested in a 7-day event realizing it would be manageable
with more time in the saddle.
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| Scenery at the top of Courchevel post-Compact event with Emma Pooley, Marg Fedyna, and Kazuya Kawayama before loading the shuttle bus to Geneva |
Many riders had not ever been in a time trial situation. The organization provides a starting ramp which the cyclists embark in time intervals just like the pros. Although a few were nervous, riding the prologue time trial ended up being calming.
Riders commended the efforts of the volunteers patrolling
the roadways and stopping traffic as the riders raced by. There was an
appreciation for the organizational efforts as well.
For experienced riders interested to take on the full 7-day
event, consider the Compact event the week before. After my long flight and
converting to the 8-hour time zone change, I was happy to have extra recovery
days post-event before the next 7-day event was to begin.
Next year, there will likely be a Haute Route Compact event
concurrent with each of the Haute Route events which allows for so many
different combinations of races to choose from.
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| On Day 2 Alps event, two riders from Team Canada–TNA descending Col des Saisies with Mont Blanc looming in the background – photo Manu Molle |
Canadian Sightings at the Haute Route
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23 Canadian riders in the Dolomites event
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Top Canadian in the Dolomites event - Tom
Stewart 11th place
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Of the 30 Canadian riders in the Alps event, 20
riders comprise three large teams: 9 riders from Team Canada - Glotman Simpson,
6 riders from Team Canada - TNA, 5 riders from VélOs
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In the first few days of the Alps event,
Veronique Fortin was 2nd place overall to Emma Pooley, Olympian
& 2010 World Time Trial. Veronique was a Canadian National team member in
2013. Not to leave out 4-time Ironman winner Chrissy Wellington was racing in
her first Haute Route event. Quite the contenders!
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Renown hockey player and familiar face at the
European stage races Trevor Linden is part of Team Canada – TNA
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Nicolas Magnan is the top Canadian in the Alps
event in 9th place as of Stage 4
Information on the Haute Route races: http://hauteroute.org
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