THE UNPREDICTABLE CHALLENGING WEATHER AND CLOSED ROAD

When we select the most spectacular stages with the expected decisive climbs, it is naturally from the perspective of cycling. We analyze the Tour de France presentation, review the stages and climbs - and we listen to experts before creating the drafts of the CYKELNERVEN routes.

The concept of riding the decisive climbs approximately one month before the professional riders take up the same battle also unfortunately sometimes means that preparatory actions to the Tour de France itself can challenge our detailed organization. We have previously experienced spontaneous mountain closures due to fallen rocks, sudden snowfall in the heights, and massive hailstorms even in mid-June.

In addition, the municipalities and cities involved are also repairing roads ahead of the Tour de France so that winter's weather does not create unsafe situations for the professional cyclists. Of course, the teams behind CYKELNERVEN cannot send any riders out on unsafe stages or on bad roads - and if roads and mountains are closed, then we have to find new alternatives as the next best solution!

We have ongoing dialogue with the French authorities via our Frenchspeaking partners. This has been going on since our first route draft on 27 October 2022 after the announcement of the Tour de France stages. We have been analyzing routes, time of riding, number of groups, riders and other practical things with road authorities and local French mayor's offices. But unfortunately we also experience that not everything can be predicted. No one knows the road conditions when the snow melts on the high mountains. Therefore, the unpredictable can also mean changes to the stage and the climb descriptions in this RoadBook.

During our recent inspection of routes on bicycles in France, the Col de la Colombiére was closed due to rock slides. Cormet de Roselend and Col de la Loze were closed due to continued heavy snow after the winter.

We do our best to continuously have insight into whether we can succeed with our planned stages. If safety and specific guidelines from the French authorities mean that we cannot drive the described routes, we then look at the possibilities, the good alternatives and the best possible solutions.

Col De La Ramaz

At the end of May, we were informed that asphalt work must be carried out after the winter season. It concerns the descent from Les Gets. We are in dialogue with the authorities for deeper insight and have ongoing dialogue with our contacts at the hotels in Les Gets, where we are staying for two nights.

In the event that the COL DE LA RAMAZ is closed from the top towards Les Gets, the official route will be changed so that we drive down the mountain the same way we drove up. This does not change the fact that we continue to have a lunch depot in Taninges and we continue to run COL DE JOUX PLANE as planned. The change will correspond to an approximately 5 km longer stage.

Col De La Colombier

This climb has also been closed off after the winter period due to rock slides and smaller pieces of snow. The climb is not that high and we are therefore optimistic about our ride in June. This mountain is not a tour mountain for this year's Tour de France, but a mountain we pass on the long route for stage 2.

Cormet De Roselend

As described during the stage three analysis, suddenly established major roadwork until July has caused a closure of the mountain from the Beaufort side. This is why we have changed our planned stage three.

Col De La Loze

At the end of May, there is still a massive snow covering the COL DE LA LOZE, but mainly from the Meribel side. The road from 'Rond Point des Pistes' and 6 km further to the top is partly blocked. We are in dialogue with the authorities regarding the prospect of opening the route based on previous years' experience and current weather forecasts.

Of course, we always respect road closures and official road closures, and we have therefore already prepared a PLAN B as the best possible alternative to get to the peaks.

The route from COURCHEVEL and Courchevel Village and on to La Loze gives a distance of 96 km with 2,982 meters of elevation gain. In the event that PLAN B comes into action, we will reach the top of the COL DE LA LOZE, but from the other side than the official Tour de France climb for the 17th stage. However, the important height meters for the collections are not affected - on the contrary!

Plan B For Reaching The Top Of Col De La Loze