The 2017 edition of the Haute Route Alps – the founding event in the European Haute Route multi-day cyclosportive series – is set to feature the most climbing in its seven-year history. 

Announcing the route for another classic week of fully timed and ranked cycle racing from Nice to Geneva, Event Director Benjamin Chandelier said he and his team had produced what they believe is perhaps the best blend so far of hard days on the bike, classic Alpine climbs and race villages set in Pra Loup, Serre Chevalier, l’Alpe d’Huez, Megève and Morzine, some of France’s most famous ski resorts.

“The 2017 Haute Route Alps looks set to be a phenomenal week of racing that will test everyone in the 500-strong peloton, whether they be hardened campaigners or people looking for their first taste of the majesty of one of Europe’s greatest cycling playgrounds,” said Chandelier.

“Once again we have laid on a spectacular course with no less than 22,200 metres of climbing, featuring some new ascents that we are trying for the first time and an Individual Time Trial from Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez which is already one of the most famous tests in cycling,” added Jean-François Alcan, the Haute Route Alps Race Director.

In keeping with the Haute Route’s unique proposition, riders on the 2017 Haute Route Alps will benefit from the Haute Route’s usual professional level of rider support on each of the seven timed and ranked stages. This includes fully authorised stages, mechanical and safety support on the road, massages and a rider’s meal after racing and full logistical support meaning that the focus is always on the riding.

Click here to learn more about each stage.

Stage 1: Nice – Pra Loup (173km, 3,700M+)
Cols: Ascros 1,160m / Cayolle 2,326m / Pra Loup 1,592m

Stage 2: Pra Loup – Col du Granon (127km, 3,700M+)
Cols: Vars 2,109m / Izoard 2,360m / Granon 2,413m

Stage 3: Serre Chevalier – Alpe d’Huez (112km, 3,200M+)
Cols: Lautaret 2,058m / Sarenne 1,999m / Alpe d’Huez 1,850m

Stage 4: ITT Bourg d’Oisans – Alpe d’Huez (15.5km, 1,100M+)
Ascent: Alpe d’Huez 1,860m

Stage 5: Alpe d’Huez – Megève (182km, 4,500M+)
Cols: Glandon 1,924m / Madeleine 2,000m / Saisies 1,650m

Stage 6: Megève – Morzine (145km, 3,400M+)
Cols: Epine 987m / Colombière 1,618m / Joux Plane 1,700m

Stage 7: Morzine – Geneva (140km, 2,600M+)
Cols: Encrenaz 1,433m / Ramaz 1,619m / Feu 1,117m / Moises 1,121m

Check out the fly-through video of the 2017 Haute Route Alps here.

Hundreds of riders have already signed up for the 2017 Haute Route Pyrenees (August 13-19), Haute Route Alps (August 21-27) or Haute Route Dolomites (September 2-8) - join them on the startline by clicking here to sign up. 

Registrations for the inaugural Mavic Haute Route Rockies are also open. Taking place from June 24th to 30th 2017 in Colorado, the final registration phase is already in effect as places are selling rapidly.

And don’t forget that the inaugural Haute Route Ventoux, a new three-day racing sportive based in the town of Bédoin and featuring three climbs of Mt Ventoux, will be staged from 6-8 October. The second registration phase will close at midnight CET on December 22. Register here.