Time Triathlon Alpe d'Huez, a festival to tick off

By Pierre-Maxime BRANCHE – Photos: Christophe Guiard

In 2018, the Time Triathlon Alpe d'Huez celebrated its 13th anniversary in a festive and friendly atmosphere. During these first 13 editions, the event saw the number of its participants increase regularly to finally exceed 3 athletes at the start of the various events. Nearly 500 nationalities are brought together each year, representing all the continents of the globe, to the great pride of its organizer, Cyrille Neveu, former 30 World Champion in LD triathlon: " This extraordinary event has gradually built its own legend in an extraordinary environment, in the heart of a cycling sanctuary.. Today, this triathlon festival enjoys an international success whose main artisans are the volunteers, the loyal partners, the municipalities, the passionate triathletes, both amateurs and professionals, and the public. They make this human and sporting adventure grandiose, and their enthusiasm is the most powerful driving force. »

Cyrille Neveu puts his heart and soul into his organisation and the players return the favour: the pros who play the leading roles, accustomed to events around the world, as well as the amateurs who suffer a few extra hours to complete their challenge, on a la carte formats ranging from the duathlon to the Short Distance, including children's events and the flagship race, the Long Distance.

A dream accessible to all

In its magical setting, the Time Triathlon Alpe d'Huez remains a demanding race, whatever the format. A dream, however, accessible to all and the opportunity to create unforgettable memories with family or friends. Here are all the details of the courses.

THE DUATHLON: THE APERITIF
6,5 km – 15 km – 2,5 km

Because this festival celebrates combined events, the week begins with the traditional opening duathlon, held on Tuesday, which perfectly launches the festivities. In 2018, nearly 400 duathletes were at the start. For some, this course allows them to discover the discipline and the effort, often described as more muscularly tiring than the triathlon because it consists of two running races. For others, it is an opportunity to get their bearings before the Long and Short formats..
Demanding and fast, this duathlon offers an initial 6,5 km run in the streets of Bourg d'Oisans, then 15 km of cycling including the ascent of the 21 bends after only 1,5 km in the saddle, before a final 2,5 km sprint in the Alpe d'Huez resort, at an altitude of 2 meters. Held in the late afternoon, at 000 p.m., it is the ideal way to start the week and end your effort right on time for a little aperitif in the resort, in moderation of course.

CHILDREN'S DAY: ANTI-STRESS
Chicks 50 m – 1 km – 200 m
Pupils 75 m – 2 km – 200 m
Benjamins 100 – 3 km – 400 m
Minimum 150 m – 4 km – 400 m

And why shouldn't your children join the party? For a first introduction, for the taste of effort or simply to do like Mom or Dad, the Festival dedicates its Wednesday to the "pitchoux", categories Poussins, Pupilles, Benjamins and Minimes. These events are activities so that the youngest discover the joys of triathlon. There is no ranking or timing, and all children are rewarded..

The same finish line as the pros!

The journey of these budding champions begins with a few lengths in the outdoor swimming pool of Alpe d'Huez in the heart of the resort. The bike circuit consists of a 1 km loop to be covered one or more times depending on the category, with a closed route completely reserved for them. Finally, they take part in a running race and finish by crossing the official finish line of the Time Triathlon Alpe d'Huez, the same as the pros! A great moment of relaxation, pleasure, bytagand anti-stress for parents before the big deadlines to come…

LONG DISTANCE: THE MAIN COURSE
2,2 km – 118 km – 20 km

The grand mass, the main course, the must, or more simply the Long Distance, takes place every year on Thursday. Taking part in the Time Triathlon Alpe d'Huez means swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Verney reservoir, a swim that is prohibited all year round.. EDF stops its electricity production at the Grand Maison dam for the occasion to offer this magnificent lake to the participants and guarantee them optimal safety. The cleanliness, the clarity of the water and the brightness on sunny days make this first event magical for the competitors and their companions.

On the bike, in the heart of the Alps between the Oisans and Écrins, the 118 km cycle route is also magnificent with its two accessible passes: the Alpe du Grand-Serre (or Col de la Morte, km 40, 1 m) and the Ornon (km 375, 91 m). Between the two, the small Col du Malissol (km 1, 371 m) in Nantes-en-Ratier was added in 54 to avoid works and was finally kept on the menu. Apart from the first part towards Séchilienne (D1) on a route very busy on a false flat descent, The circuit is a feast for the eyes and is full of delightful panoramas..

A myth to climb

Monument of the Tour de France, The climb of Alpe d'Huez (up to 1 m) is part of the heritage of French cycling and is now an ideal playground for triathlon.. With a height difference of 1 m over 121 km and an average gradient of 14,5% (max 7,9%), the "14 bends", at km 21 of the course, are the arbiter of the event. Can we say that almost all of the participants travel from France and Navarre to measure themselves against this myth? Certainly.

Once the bike is put down, running is also demanding. This route is a mixture of path and asphalt, alternating between a trail section and route. Add a leg-breaking climb above the Altiport plus the accumulated fatigue and you get an explosive cocktail. Three loops of 6,6 km are to be digested, or nearly 20 km with 340 m of D+. After that? Medal and well-deserved rest.

To go further, below is the link to the LD course: