Les Chemins du Soleil Mountain Bike Race
210 km MTB race May 13-17 offers two categories
Jacqueline Windh / photo ©Cyril Crespeau / 02.05.2007
The 210 km route of France’s Les Chemins du Soleil mountain bike race is the same for both the Elite and Rando category. It links the Rhône Valley to the south part of the Alps (West-East) and the Vercors to Provence (North-South), with a total elevation change of 7700 m. The big difference between the categories is that Elite racers (teams of two, same-sex or mixed) will race the route non-stop, while Rando racers will have three days to get through the course. Elite teams are expected to finish in between 24 and 36 hours.Last year, 300 racers took part, but this year there will be space available for a total of 500 participants. The competition starts in less than two weeks, May 13 to 17.
The competition has a strong international flavour. More than 30% of the participants are from outside of France – mainly from Belgium, Holland and Switzerland. In its fifth year now, as this event grows the organizers are hoping to share this scenic course with an increasing number of English-speaking cyclists, promising “exceptional tracks amidst fabulous landscapes� as well as some strong competition. Last year’s winners were France’s well known AR team Sport 2000 Lafuma (Guillaume Demangeon and Marc Balaskovic).
Organizers note that the course has changed somewhat from previous years, preserving the scenic routes and the famous descent at Gapençais, but presenting a more challenging route particularly on its third stage. They are working towards partnering this race with other scenic mountain bike races around the world, including (with 2007 dates indicated):
Canada’s TransRockies Challenge (August 12-18)
South Africa’s Absa Cape Epic (March 24-31)
Switzerland’s Le Grand Raid (August 18)
Italy’s Iron Bike (July 21-28)
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