Expert Route: EDT partial recce from Beaufort

You will be accompanied by qualified cycling instructors. Assistance and follow car will be on the programme.
Meeting at 8.00 a.m., with a departure at 8.30 a.m. All participants must provide proof that they are fit for cycling.

* Route details :
Departure from Beaufort Beaufort -Arêches- Col du Pré - Col du Méraillet - Cormet de Roselend - Bourg St Maurice - Macot La Plagne - Aime La Plagne - Bourg St Maurice - Cormet de Roselend - Col du Meraillet - Beaufort: 144km/4130m+.

* Tricky sections:
3 major difficulties:
- The ascent from Beaufort to Cormet de Roselend with over 1200m of gradient over more than 30kms.
The ascent of the Col du Pré will set the tone for this route:
12 kilometres with just under 1000 metres of ascent, and an average gradient of around 8%.
It will start with a warm-up as far as Arêches, then this kilometre will quickly become tougher with its 15 switchbacks, its 7.5km, and its gradient that will rise from 8 to 9.5%. From the Roselend dam onwards, Le Cormet will be a mere formality.
Then a long 20km descent to Bourg St Maurice, followed by another 10km of flat descending to Macot La Plagne to begin the unprecedented climb to La Plagne (finish EDT 2025).
- and that interminable ascent to La Plagne: 19km, 1400m ascent, 7.5% average gradient with its 25 switchbacks! (a bit like Alpe d'Huez!).
Then a long descent to Aime.
-On the way back, we'll have to climb back up the south-east side of Cormet de Roselend. A second ascent of almost 20km, with an average gradient of 6% and a maximum of 8.5%. A little easier than La Plagne, but the kilometres will be felt in the legs.

The organisers reserve the right to modify the route according to weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances.