After attracting over 14 participants in 000, the Cycling Challenge returns in 2024 with a program including six cyclosportive rounds, eight gravel rounds, and six mountain bike events. The season will kick off on May 2025, 6—exactly one month from now—and will feature a series of diverse events across France.
A DISTINCTIVE CONCEPT
The Cycling Challenge aims to bring together cycling enthusiasts around major events on the French calendar, while showcasing remarkable regions and landscapes. Since its launch in 2021, the event has evolved, increasing the number of events and participants, and expanding to the three main disciplines of cycling: route, gravel and mountain biking, integrated since 2024. The routes cross routes, passes, paths and forest tracks among the most notable in France, offering an experience combining discovery and exchange within a community of practitioners.
In 2025, a new feature was introduced: the MTB'Tour Cycletyres became the Marathon de France mountain bike challenge, adopting a more competitive dimension.
A STRUCTURED SEASON
The Cycling Challenge attracts regular participants, who have been there for several years, who contribute to its identity. To reward their loyalty, as well as those registered for the season package (allowing participation in several events), an official jersey will be offered to the participants concerned. This jersey symbolizes commitment to the event's values: cycling, exploration, and conviviality.
COMMITTED PARTNERS
The Cycling Challenge collaborates with stakeholders reconThe cycling industry partners are working together to enrich the participant experience. These partnerships make it possible to offer accessible and friendly events, encouraging interaction with passionate riders. Among them, Classified continues to support the Cyclo'Tour with its Powershift transmission system, available for testing. Cannondale is renewing its commitment to the Gravel'Tour, while Cycletyres is supporting the MTB'Tour to advise participants on tires suitable for mountain bike events.
THE CLASSIFIED CYCLO'TOUR
This national challenge brings together 6 major cyclosportives:
- Cyclo Sud Bourgogne (April), in the Burgundy vineyards;
- Lozérienne Cyclo (end of April), in the Gorges du Tarn and the Grands Causses;
- GF Les Sybelles La Toussuire (mid-July), in the Alpine passes of Maurienne;
- Sanfloraine stage (mid-August), near the Garabit Viaduct;
- dVélos Lac d’Annecy (end of August), in the Bauges Massif;
- Raid des Alpilles (October 5), in Maussane-les-Alpilles, at the foot of Baux de Provence.
Open to all, this challenge offers a ranking over the season, with 4 rounds counted out of 6 (2 bonus rounds).
THE CANNONDALE GRAVEL'TOUR
France’s first gravel challenge, it includes 8 stages:
- Gravel South Burgundy (April), between vineyards and castles;
- Lozérienne Gravel (April), in the Gorges du Tarn;
- Roc Laissagais (end of May), on the Causse and the Source of the Aveyron;
- Cape Nore (mid-June), in the Montagnot Black;
- Transmaurienne Vanoise (July), in Haute Maurienne;
- Sanfloraine stage (July), in the Cantalou region;
- dVélos Lac d’Annecy (end of August), between the lake and the Bauges Massif;
- Raid des Alpilles (early October), in Les Baux de Provence.
A hiking format is also offered. The ranking is based on 5 rounds (3 bonuses), with navigation by GPX track, communicated one week before each event.
THE MTB'TOUR CYCLETYRES
This mountain bike challenge, now a national marathon, brings together 6 events:
- Lozérienne mountain biking, in the Gorges du Tarn;
- Roc Laissagais, on the Aubrac;
- Cape Nore, in the Montagnot Black;
- Super Besse Bike Festival, in the Massif du Sancy;
- Transmaurienne Vanoise, in Haute Maurienne;
- Corsica Bike Festival, in Corsica.
It includes various practices (cross-country, enduro, hiking) and a seasonal classification.
Each discipline offers options for competitors and amateurs, with courses showcasing French regions.
More informations: cycling-challenge.fr
