La Marmotte Weekend

SOLD OUT La Marmotte is your chance to take on the epic Tour de France climbs of the French Alps. Every metre of this course has witnessed some legendary battles in the World of cycling from Greg Lemond's tete-a-tete with Bernard Hinault in the 1986 Tour on the slopes of Alpe d'Huez to Marco Pantani's rapid ascent of the Col du Galibier on the way to his stage win at Les Deux Alpes and eventual overall victory ahead of reigning champion Jan Ullrich in the 1998 Tour. The classic combination of the climbs of Glandon, Telegraphe, Galibier and Alpe d'Huez is rarely paralleled in the sportive world.

Our three night package gives you all the support you'll need to conquer La Marmotte. Based in a top 4* hotel in the finish town of Alpe d'Huez, we're only a short distance from the start in Bourg D'Oisans and after the finish you'll only have a few hundred metres to ride to a welcoming shower back at the hotel.

Read about our La Marmotte trip as featured in the Financial Times

Read El Ciclista's blog of his Marmotte with La Fuga

For 2012 we have two accommodation options available in Alpe d'Huez.  We return to the 4 star Hotel Pic Blanc, an old favourite of ours and a regular stopping off point on the Rapha Randonnée Alpine. New for 2012 is the Hotel Alpenrose, a brand new 4 star hotel with outdoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi.

At each hotel we'll have a maximum group of 15 guests to ensure a warm welcome and a friendly and intimate Marmotte experience.

PLEASE NOTE THAT BOTH HOTEL ALPENROSE AND HOTEL LE PIC BLANC ARE NOW FULL.

Pictures depict the Hotel Pic Blanc. Unfortunately we don't have any pictures available yet of the Hotel Alpenrose.

The Route Stats

Distance: 174km
Total climbing: 5000m
The climbs:

Col du Glandon (1924m)
Col de Télégraphe (1556m)
Col du Galibier (2646m)
Col du Lautaret (2058m)
Alpe d'Huez (1815m)

What’s Included?

Four Star Accommodation
All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotel and restaurants
Airport transfer and travel to and from race
Experienced guide and dedicated support car on each ride
Complimentary Energy Drink and Bars
La Fuga Pro Support on the course
Cyclefilm La Marmotte Reconnaissance DVD
La Fuga Welcome Pack
Race Registration

What’s Not?

Flights
Lunchtime meals
Travel Insurance
Drinks with evening meals
Incidental Expenses

Why not prepare for La Marmotte in the best way possible - sign up for our Cycling Academy.

The Knowledge

• Event: La Marmotte
• Event website: www.sportcommunication.info/GT/epreuve2.php?langue=2&trophee=128
• Accommodation: 3 nights at 4* Hotel
• Airport pickup: Geneva
• Hotel Alpenrose Single Occupancy: £1050
• Hotel Alpenrose Double Occupancy: £950
• Hotel Le Pic Blanc Single Occupancy: £975
• Hotel Le Pic Blanc Double Occupancy: £875

La Marmotte Weekend

Thursday

Arrival at Geneva Airport. Transfer by minibus to our base in Alpe d'Huez. Guests arriving by car may park at Geneva Airport and join our airport pick up. Due to the length of transfer to Alpe d'Huez we will operate two pickups, 1200 and 1700. For guests arriving after these times, we can organise a transfer at extra cost.

Friday

Your bike will be unpacked and ready to go. We will enjoy a gentle ride along the Oisans valley. The aim is to spin the legs and loosen things up for the challenge tomorrow. Lunch will be had at a cafe en route. In the afternoon we will visit the race village, pick up race numbers and sample the pre-race atmosphere. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax and make final preparations for tomorrow. Your bike will receive a final check over from our mechanic and your race number fitted.

Saturday

The Big Day! Having slept in comfort and style, the hotel will serve a breakfast suitable for the day's activities with generous helpings of pasta. We will then ride to the race start and arrive with enough time to grab a pre-race grand creme or two. Your guide will be on hand to pass on some last minute words of wisdom and escort you to the starting pen.

The La Fuga Pro Support will be en-route to stock you up with the best energy and motivation to complete the course.

After a tough (and hopefully enjoyable) race, we'll meet you at the finish with some cold drinks and congratulations. A refreshing shower and perhaps a power nap await you back at the hotel. We will then venture into town and reward our efforts of the day with some great food and drink

Sunday

A day to enjoy your last few hours in France. Your bike will be packed up ready for your flight home. A minibus will make the transfer back to the airport. We will arrive at Geneva airport for 1130 so flights after 1300 are recommended.

La Marmotte Weekend