Haute Route Alps 2017 stage routes the full detail

Seventeen days to go and the full detail of the routes for each stage have been released.

Here they are for all to see (mostly for my own reference!).

Haute Route Alps 2017 stages

Stage Reports

Here are the facts and figures for each stage, with a report post from after each day.

• Monday, Aug 21 Stage 1 – Nice to Pra Loup – 173km, 3,700m [route] [briefing]

  Cols – Ascros, Col de la Cayolle, Pra Loup

  Starting on the Promenade des Anglais (I should feel at home) in the centre of Nice, quickly getting out of town but with a long neutralised start. The descent from the Col de la Cayolle is a long gentle slope through a valley, with signs warning of marmottes on the road! I've seen a fair bit of this stage from rides around Pra Loup and driving back to Nice.

  Report – GC 108, stage 108 – Starting hard with the length of the Marmotte and two-thirds of the ascent, and climbing Ascros, Cayolle and Pra Loup. Plus: surprise video appearance!

• Tuesday, Aug 22 Stage 2 – Pra Loup to Col du Granon – 127km, 3,700m [route] [briefing]

  Cols – Col de Vars, Col d'Izoard, Col du Granon

  A nice potter through Barcelonnette, a grind up the valley, and then racing Chris Froome's time up Izoard, on which he all but sealed the yellow jersey this year.

  Report – GC 105, stage 103 – A good day of following a pacing strategy, staying slower than felt necessary and ending up being faster than the competition

• Wednesday, Aug 23 Stage 3 – Serre Chevalier to Alpe d'Huez – 112km, 3,200m [route] [briefing]

  Cols – Col du Lautaret, Col de Sarenne, Pas de la Confession, Alpe d'Huez

  One I've been really looking forward to. We'll see some of the Lautaret descent that features in La Marmotte, then the climb up the "wrong" side of Alpe d'Huez, to see my favourite ski run at Sarenne. Down through the village and the famous 21 bends, and to the second back-route climb up the Alpe. It'll be like playing on the mountain all day!

  Report – GC 93, stage 83 – The most beautiful col that I've climbed, another good day pacing, and a finish to take me into the top 100 overall!

• Thursday, Aug 24 Stage 4 – Alpe d'Huez – 15.5km, 1,100m [route] [briefing]

  Cols – Alpe d'Huez

  An individual time trial, straight up the mountain. My best time up here is around 1h10 at the end of La Marmotte. I'll aim for under an hour here...

  Report – GC 92, stage 137 – The classic mountain time trial. I pushed a little harder than planned, maintained overall position, and spent the afternoon eating.

• Friday, Aug 25 Stage 5 – Alpe d'Huez to Megève – 182km, 4,500m [route] [briefing]

  Cols – Col du Glandon, Col de la Madeleine, Col des Saisies

  This one is genuinely scary, it's just massive. It'll start with a familiar feeling, following the route of La Marmotte up the Glandon, but then the Madeleine will be just brutal, with no let-up in the gradient. Maybe there'll be a bit of a break in the valley, but more likely, whatever group is left will motor on to the Col des Saisies for the finish.

  Report – GC 97, stage 107 – The queen stage of the event, long and high, and on a really hot day. The first half went well; the second half I pushed too hard, paid for that on the last climb and in recovery that evening.

• Saturday, Aug 26 Stage 6 – Megève to Morzine – 145km, 3,400m [route] [briefing]

  Cols – Col de l'Épine, Col de la Colombière, Col de Joux Plane

  Unknown territory for me, here. It sounds like beautiful scenery, though with a couple of tricky descents that will likely be neutralised for safety.

  Report – GC 96, stage 103 – Yesterday's ride really took its toll, but once the timing started today the legs woke up again, and felt fresh and strong for the last day of the High Alps.

• Sunday, Aug 27 Stage 7 – Morzine to Geneva – 140km, 2,600m [route] [briefing]

  Cols – Col de l'Encrenaz, Col de la Ramaz, Col du Feu, Col de Cou, Col de Saxel

  If I make it this far, the end is in sight! A medium-length stage, but with the least climbing for a "proper" stage. The peaks are early, and the last third is mostly flat with the run-in to Geneva along the lake.

  Report – GC 95, stage 105 – One last push, a single time section of 100km to get through. I caught and passed plenty, and kept my top 100 GC placing – I finished the Haute Route Alps!

• September 12, 2017 Closing Thoughts from HRA17 – stage racing is a whole new thing

  An incredible and joyful (and exhausting) week in beautiful places. What an experience.