Monday, 25 July 20113 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Distribution of number bibs
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Partner Village open
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.:
Distribution of number bibs
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.:
Partner Village open
2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.:
Distribution of number bibs
2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.:
Partner Village open
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
7 a.m.:
Opening of the bicycle facility (P1) at EDF’s Lac du Verney
9 a.m.: Race briefing
9:30 a.m.: Start
3:15 p.m.: First arrivals
7 p.m.: Prize ceremony
A new triathlon summit
The EDF Alpe d’Huez Triathlon takes place in an exceptional setting and over a unique course.
It is unique because the swimming event takes place in the crystalline waters of the Lac du Verney, accessible to swimmers only during the Triathlon. Exceptionally, thanks to the authorisation of EDF, a partner in the competition, competitors will have the privilege of swimming in clear waters, at an altitude of 700 m, in a setting of greenery provided by the luxuriantly wooded peaks that surround this body of water. Sheer delight, which will soon make you forget the rather chilly temperature of the water, at some 15-16°C at the height of summer.
It is unique because the course of the bike race is quite simply legendary, with two mountain passes on the programme – the Alpe du Grand Serre (1375 m) and the Col d’Ornon (1371 m) – as well as the climb of the 21 switching bends of the ascent to Alpe d’Huez, which has earned its well-deserved fame in the Tour de France, which includes it almost every year.
The magic of doing the same ride as the participants of the Tour de France never fails to impress both champions and amateurs alike.
The landscapes on this part of the Ecrins Mountains are simply fabulous. If you’re lucky, you might even see some chamois on the wild hillsides of the passes!
Patience and courage are the mottos for this major altitude change course, which is unique, finally, because once you’ve set down your bike, the footrace event takes place within the majestic setting of the resort of Alpe d’Huez. The course is a mixture of asphalted roads and mountain paths, and consists of three 7.3 km loops.
Race information
Distribution of number bibs: at the Palais des Sports in Alpe d’Huez
Access to the start line: We advise you to park in Alpe d’Huez and to come down to the start line by bike; an “Access to start line” itinerary will be signposted. Plan on 30 to 40 minutes with 95% of the way being downhill.
Swimming: A 2.2 km loop
Full body swimming suits are highly recommended, as in summer the water temperature is between 15°C and 16°C.
The swimming event takes place on the Lac du Verney EDF site; bathing is normally prohibited, so it will only be possible to swim in the lake during the race.
END OF SWIMMING TIME SET AT 11 A.M. (I.E. 1.5 HRS AFTER THE START)
Equipment depository:
Two facilities are provided:
- P1: Swimming/Cycling facility (at the Vaujany start line)
- P2: Cycling/Footrace facility (at the Alpe d’Huez finish line).
Bicycles should be handed in at P1 on the morning of the race.
On the day of the race, your gear for the footrace should be handed in at P1 to the Organisers, who will then transfer it to P2, where it will be ready for you to pick up at the relevant time.
Swimming and pre-race gear will be brought back and deposited at P2 by the Organisers.
Cycling: One 115 km loop
Recommended gear ratios:
- Good performance level: 39x23
- Average performance level: 38x25
- Non-mountain habitués: Triple crankset.
END OF CYCLING TIME SET AT 6:30 P.M. (CLOSING TIME OF THE BIKE FACILITY)
Footrace: Three 7.3 km loops
END OF RUNNING TIME SET AT 9:30 P.M. (CLOSING TIME OF THE FEEDING STATIONS)
Feeding :
For the cycling event, over the 115 km of the course, nine feeding stations will be set up, with an option for personal refreshments at km 68, at Valbonnais.
Personal refreshments must be handed to the Organisers on the morning of the race.
- Km 25 at Séchilienne: water
- Km 40 at Alpe du Grand-Serre: liquid (water, Coke, Inkospor) and solid (sweet)
- Km 56 at Oris-en-Rattier: water
- Km 68 at Valbonnais: liquid (water, Coke, Inkospor) and solid (sweet and savoury) + personal refreshments
- Km 76 at Le Perrier: water
- Km 86: at the Col d’Ornon pass: liquid (water, Coke, Inkospor) and solid (sweet / savoury)
- Km 101 at Bourg-d’Oisans: liquid (water, Coke, Inkospor) and solid (sweet and savoury)
- Km 104 at La Garde: liquid (water, Coke, Inkospor)
For the footrace event,12 feeding stations will be set up over the 22 km of the course, i.e. four on each loop.
Each feeding station will have water, Coke, energy drinks and solid foods.
Massage:
a massage centre with physiotherapists will be available at the Palais des Sports in Alpe d’Huez for a better recovery.
Showers:
Showers will be available at the Palais des Sports in Alpe d’Huez.
Bicycle rental
| Rocky-Sports Hameau de l'Eclose 38750 Alpe d'Huez Tel: +33 (0)4 76 80 63 02 Fax: +33 (0)4 76 80 61 40 E-mail: rocky.sports@wanadoo.fr Web: www.rocky-sports.com |
Sarrennes Sports Place du cognet (Rond-point des pistes) 38750 Alpe d’Huez Tel: +33 (0)4 76 80 44 76 Fax: +33 (0)4 76 80 46 11 Web: www.sarenne-sports.com |
Cycles et Sports Place du Docteur Faure 38520 Bourg d'Oisans Tel: +33 (0)4 76 79 16 79 Web: www.cyclesetsports.com |
Cyrille neveu’s tips
Swimming – Start at 9:30 a.m.:
Think about a good warm-up, as the water will be chilly but calm, since the wind usually only picks up in the early afternoon.
For those who feel the cold a lot, prepare two swimming caps and why not a bit of warming oil before putting on your full body swimsuit.
Vélo : 115 km
The cycling course can be broken down into six stages, each of which has its own special characteristics:
- Km 0 to 26 (Séchillienne):
Don’t set off too fast, this part is a false flat and there might be a tendency to put on too high a gear ratio, all the more so as the wind is usually favourable over this section.
Think of taking along some oversleeves, which are easy to carry and will protect you from the chill. In the mountains, weather conditions can change quickly, so you may find them useful in the event of a storm too.
- Km 26 to 40 (Alpe du Grand Serre):
The climb to the Alpe du Grand Serre is not particularly difficult. What with all the enthusiasm, it’s easy to get carried away, so it’s preferable to use an easy gear ratio balancing speed and power. That way, you’ll be neither out of breath nor fighting it.
Don’t forget to fill your bottles at Alpe du Grand Serre, because, in spite of the wind on the summit, the heat can be significant in the valley following.
- Km 40 to 68 (Valbonnais):
After a short 3 km descent, the valley resembles a downhill false flat. You can therefore put the gears back on and test higher speeds close to 40 km/h.
Watch out, there are a few areas that will remind you of why this is a difficult course, take them easy without drawing too much on your muscle reserves.
If you need to eat and drink, this is the time to do it. Prevention is better than cure! The one at Valbonnais is the feeding station you should not miss. You must absolutely refill here (liquid and solid). At this feeding station there are savoury foods available, take advantage of it for a change from sweets.
- Km 68 to 86 (Col d’Ornon):
If you want to let yourself go, this is the time to do it, but with moderation! Always keep your efforts under control. The Col d’Ornon is very pleasant, the last 3 km are steeper, don’t hesitate to go back down to easier gear ratios.
If it’s sunny, the air can become very thin. Don’t hesitate to spray yourself and freshen up; a station at Perrier will enable you to fill up your bottles again.
- Km 86 to 101 (Bourg d’Oisans):
Be careful on this highly technical descent. Let yourself roll down without making too much of an effort, because your only objective at this stage is to recover, hydrate and feed, so as to arrive at the foot of the Alpe d’Huez in the best possible conditions. And don’t hesitate to stretch your legs.
- Km 101 to 115 (the climb up to Alpe d’Huez):
At Bourg d’Oisans: mandatory stop to fill water bottles. The first six bends up to La Garde are awful – the rise is steep and the heat is stifling, so be patient and don’t hesitate to use your easiest gear ratio.
Between La Garde and Saint-Féréol (bends 16 to 7) you’ll be smiling again, as the gradient is less steep, and you too are now part of the legend of this route that has seen a century of great cycling champions go by. You should use each bend to revive and recover. It’ll still be very hot, so don’t hesitate to spray yourself.
Between Saint-Féréol and the Patte d’Oie (bends 7 to 3): here you go above 1500 m in altitude, so it will be a little less hot. Take advantage of the Huez crossing to catch your breath, because the difficulties will come back starting with bend No. 4.
Between the Patte d’Oie and the finish line, the steep climbs are back and they are exacerbated by a new problem, the wind that blows on the summit.
These are the last few kilometres now, and you’ll finish with energy and courage plus the pleasure of seeing your comrades making their way up once you are in the last few bends.
Footrace – 22 km
The course is a mixture of paths and asphalted roads. In the climbs, you should shorten your stride, and let yourself go on the way downhill.
There are twelve feeding stations on the course, so drink something regularly.
The course consists of 3 loops. The first should be used to find your rhythm and your stride; take the time to become aware of your sensations, as you are at an altitude of between 1800 and 2000 m. Once you have gauged your performance on the first loop, you can let yourself go for the last two...
What they say...
(with Triathlète, by Olivier Berraud)
Sébastien Viars, 16 of the French Rugby Team selection (489th in the 2009 Long Distance Triathlon)
« The race was long (11h) and difficult from start to finish. I was tired when I came out of the water. Fortunately the 25 km of the downhill false flat helped me along. As soon as I started climbing the Col du Grand Serre I realised that I had not entirely recovered from the Tour de France leg nine days earlier. And that it was going to be a very long day.
The most difficult moment was the transition from the bike to the footrace. The first loop of the footrace was hell. Then my legs were done for and just wanted me to stop. Fortunately it’s the head that gives the orders though!
The race met my expectations entirely: the weather was a dream, the organisation was tops, and the volunteers were adorable. You really don’t get the impression of being in an individual sport, what with the way people encourage you all along the route. And then, the opportunity to exceed my own personal limits in a discipline that was new for me was like plunging into a fountain of youth! »
Arnaud Regent (194th in the 2009 Long Distance Triathlon)
« Opinion on the competition:
A beautiful race in magnificent surroundings, with all these mountains around us… All that gives this Triathlon a different dimension. This competition meets my expectations because I want to get better at triathlon while having fun.
The climb up to Alpe d’Huez:
I had already gone up there several times while on holiday. You need some basic training, that’s for sure, but it is not insurmountable. But then, when it’s part of a long distance triathlon, it can quickly become hell. My time: 1:05. »
Xavier Rossigneux
« Opinion on the competition:
It was my first time in this competition as well as on a Long Distance Triathlon. This is a competition that is very well organised, and absolutely to be entered into one’s annual agenda. And then, to add a legendary mountain pass at the end of the bike ride, it’s just fantastic! You feel as if you're on the Tour de France. Thanks for all the encouragement along the way!
The climb up to Alpe d’Huez:
I had never gone up the Alpe d’Huez, just seen it on TV during the Tour de France. This last climb killed me but didn’t defeat me, because I managed to drop off my bike and set off on the footrace. I didn’t want to calculate the time of the climb during the race itself because I was afraid of being disappointed thinking of the record set by Marco Pantani (1997 in 37’35’’ with an average speed of 23.08 km/h). »
