The Aindinoise Grand Colombier now takes up residence in Belley, a place of Departure and arrival of the two courses offered this Saturday for this 5e edition. It is indeed a question of addressing as many people as possible, moving away from the monstrous profiles which were modeled on the famous stage of the Tour de France, which borrowed two faces of the Grand Colombier and the Col de la Biche. The small course (77 km) literally goes around the Grand Colombier: we climb by Champagne-en-Valromey, by bypassing the difficult passages of the seed of Frommentel, and we descend on the Culoz side before the arrival in Belley. The large circuit (110 km), provides in addition a picturesque loop on the Hauteville plateau, by the Côte de Thézillieu as a warm -up, then the climbs of the Cols of La Rochette and Richemond, before the final by the Grand Colombier. It is within the reach of any well-trained and equipped cyclo, even if the strong percentages (19 %) after Virieu-le-Petit, up to the seed of Frommentel, will probably be decisive.
A nice challenge
On the participation side, we head towards a peloton with dimensions similar to those of last year. 800 competitors were present at the start in 2024. The 600 bar was already exceeded on Wednesday, with the promise of a milder time at the end of the week, which should convince the most reluctant. No big star is announced, except for the ladies the presence of Eugénie Duval, professional at the FDJ Suez. But the race drains a large audience, including from neighboring countries. The Grand Colombier undoubtedly plays his attractive role. The climbing remains a nice challenge for a cyclosportive.
Practical. This Saturday in Belley: the Aindinoise Grand Colombier (Alpes Vélo) cyclosportive. Home from 7 am Sports Halle Jean Gonnet. Departure at 9 am, for 110 km; Departure at 9:15 a.m. for 77 km. Arrived from 11:30 a.m.
