After a challenging year in 2020 for amateur cyclists and event organisers alike, Haute Route Crans-Montana will get its first outing in Switzerland on June 11-13, 2021.
The amateur stage race is welcoming nearly 200 amateur cyclists – with seven climbs spread over three stages in the heart of the Valais canton in southern Switzerland.
Crans-Montana is a new destination for Haute Route… ‘the world’s first prestigious stage race circuit for amateur cyclists.’
The event offers a total of 8100m of elevation gain, making it the most demanding three-day race on the Haute Route 2021 calendar.
Tristan Cousin, Race Director, said “We are lucky to have a particularly spectacular playing field, on the most beautiful roads in the Valais. It is no exaggeration to say that each bend will offer breath-taking views. But the route is also demanding, and the riders will have to pace themselves to last the distance.
“The first two stages are over 100km long with three climbs each. On Friday, the Col du Sanetsch will be a choice morsel with its 24.6km climb at an average gradient of 7.1%.
“Saturday’s stage will be the longest and Sunday’s stage will offer a short but intense and continuous climb with 15.2km at an average gradient of 8.3%.”
Mimicing conditions worthy of professional races, the event will have five mechanics, 30 massage therapists, 30 safety motorbikes and eight race cars on hand.
A pre-race briefing will include expert advice on how to tackle the route. To maintain social distancing, this briefing will take place online.
‘The race has its own application, developed by Ride With GPS, partner of the Haute Route. It will contain all the practical and up-to-the-minute information, the routes, as well as the daily videos and photos.’
A strict health protocol has been drawn up in collaboration with local authorities. Haute Route notes that its events do not target large pelotons, preferring to focus instead on the ‘high standard of professional service guaranteed to smaller groups of cyclists.’
A minimum of 2m distance between participants is expected at all times. There will also be directions, masks, sanitiser and individually packaged food supplies provided by the organising team.
