Colnago GF Provence Occitane: Course, Elevation & Route Profile

Course & Elevation

From the Parc Saint-Nabor in Cornillon the field rolls out in a mass start. After a first climb around kilometre 10, Mont Bouquet comes at kilometre 30: about two and a half kilometres averaging just over eight percent with steep ramps, followed by the day's high point at nearly 460 metres. At kilometre 67, at the Moulin de Martel, sits the time barrier that decides who stays on the long route.

The second half runs via Orgnac-l'Aven, with another climb around kilometre 74, to the Gorges de l'Ardèche. Around kilometre 100 the road climbs out of the gorge to the Serre de Tourre viewpoint and its feed station; this is the steepest section of the day. Over the narrow one-way bridge at Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche at kilometre 130, rolling roads lead back to Cornillon.

The route links several of the area's Plus beaux villages de France, the Sautadet falls on the Cèze, the country around the Aven d'Orgnac and the Ardèche gorges. It is all on tarmac, in late April, when the south is often noticeably warmer than home for riders coming from further north.

Pacing Strategy

The shared start with the Mediofondo makes the first 30 kilometres fast. Do not get pulled into groups you cannot hold on Mont Bouquet: its steep ramps split the field early, and blowing up there costs more time than a fast group gains you beforehand.

The time barrier at kilometre 67 requires an 18 km/h average. For most riders it is not a problem, but it does mean you cannot start too cautiously.

The race is decided in the Ardèche gorges from kilometre 100. If you can still turn the pedals there, you paced it right. The trap is spending too much in the rolling terrain after Orgnac and arriving at the steep section up to the Serre de Tourre with nothing left. Eat and drink early; the last 50 kilometres are long.

Training plan for Colnago GF Provence Occitane: 12-week build

For most amateur riders the Granfondo takes five and a half to seven hours. The effort is long and aerobic but restless: many short climbs of five to fifteen minutes with steep ramps, broken by fast group riding and descents.

Build long rides of five hours and more with the hardest climbs in the final third. Five- to ten-minute efforts just above threshold prepare you for Mont Bouquet and the ramps in the gorges.

Practise group riding and holding position, because the mass start with the Mediofondo is dense, and safe descending on twisting, sometimes narrow roads.

With the race in late April, the build falls in winter. Schedule enough long endurance rides and practise a long fuelling plan, as the feed stations are at kilometres 40, 78 and 102.