OUR LOCAL CLASSIC. ULTRAFONDO THE EVEREST

DESPITE BEING A RELATIVELY NEW SPORTIVE, the tour des stations has become a cycling hit. RIDDEN BY ALBERTO CONTADOR IN 2019, AND FINISHing IN THE CENTRE OF VERBIER, it’s not to be missed.

THERE’S MANY ROUTES TO CHOOSE FROM, WITH THE TOUGHEST ULTRAFONDO TAKING YOU UP 8,848M OVER 242KM. ride solo or bring a team.

 

the Tour des Stations on Saturday 6 August is in addition to the already impressive Look Marmotte Series. Billed as a sportive on a par with the more established Look Marmotte Alps.

You have plenty of routes FoR YOU to choose from depending on what kind of experience you would like. We have selected convenient accommodation that is in close proximity to the start finish line.

  • Tour des Stations or Marmotte Gran Fondo Valais race entry.

  • Transfers between relevant train stations.

  • Warm-up rides and pre-race support.

  • Experienced and knowledgeable staff.

  • Complimentary nutrition.

  • Branded cycling clothing & Kudos welcome pack.

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ITINERARY

 

Day 0: Thursday 5 August - Arrive in Switzerland

Depending on arrival time, check in at the hotel and bike building before welcome drinks and dinner in the hotel and introductions.

 

Day 1: Friday 6 August - Warm up Spin

Distance: 30km/18miles
Elevation Gain: 946m/3,103ft
Major Climb: Col du Lein 11.4km - Ave. Gradient 7.4% (max 9%)

We will enjoy a gentle spin up the first climb of the sportive, Col du Lein, from our base. The aim is to spin the legs and loosen things up for the challenge the following day. The rest of the afternoon will be free for you to relax, make use of the outdoor pool in Verbier if you so wish. A briefing about the course, a weather forecast check and specific details of the event will be given just before tucking into dinner to fuel you up for the big challenge.





 

Day 2: Saturday 7 August - RACE DAY - Tour des Stations or Marmotte Gran fondo Valais 

Distance: 240km/150miles or 145km/90miles or 85km/85miles
Elevation Gain: 8,200m/26,902ft or 4,750m/15,583ft or 2,850m/9,350ft
Major Climbs: Col du Lein 11.4km - Ave. Gradient 7.4% (max 9%), Mayens de Vernamiège - 4.4km - Ave. Gradient 7.6% (max 9%), Thyon 2000 - 19km - Ave. Gradient 5.8% (max 20%), Nendaz - 10km - Ave. Gradient 5.5% (max 9%), Col de la Croix-de-Coeur - 12.4km - Ave. Gradient 7.1% (max 19%)

The hotel will serve a large breakfast to prepare you for the day’s challenge. Depending on which route you decide to do, start times and locations vary. The Gran Fondo Valais is a short warm-up ride to the race start area for a pre-race espresso if you so wish. A re-energising shower and stretch back at the hotel before heading out into town for a few post event drinks and dinner to re-live the experiences with your fellow group riders.

Day 3: Sunday 8 August - DePARTure

A post race day cycle or a relax and walk around Verbier before your transfer back to Geneva airport.

 
 
Some of our testimonials

‘‘Tony and Kudos Cycling know Valais like the back of their hand.’’

-Ashley C

‘‘Riding through the mountains for a week – whether at an amateur event like the Haute Route or just with your friends – can be a life-affirming experience, for some it may even be life-changing.’’

-John MacLeary

‘‘Underestimate this challenge at your peril.’’

- GranFondo Guide

‘‘I learnt so much about bike handling and preparation when I was in the alps. Skills and confidence I took home and use on every ride.’’

– Harry S

‘‘…here was someone clearly committed to ensuring everyone enjoyed and got what they wanted from their cycling, and if I wanted to pootle along and enjoy the views, rather than focus on my power output, that was going to be just fine.’’

– Kudos Customer

‘‘And the end of our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the very first time.’’

-TS Elliot

“You can say that climbers suffer the same as the other riders, but they suffer in a different way. You feel the pain, but you’re glad to be there”

– Richard Virenque, retired French pro racer

We need to see more women at these events and know there are women who want to do it but just need that extra little confidence boost. Hopefully next year there will be more women on the climbs fulfilling their goals of riding in the Alps.

- Anthony Walker

''There’s nothing better than an easy spin through the pastures after an Alpine epic.''

- CyclingTips

''Sometimes, when we train, we simply have to go out and meet the man with the hammer.''

- Laurent Fignon