60,000 Cyclists From All Over The World Ready To Take Up The Challenge of Haute Route Watopia!
This is THE virtual sports event to kick off the year! Some 60,000 cycling enthusiasts from all over the world will come together from 26th to 28th February on Zwift, the indoor training platform, to compete in the 2nd edition of the Haute Route Watopia
With 149.9km distance to cover over three days and 3,783m of elevation gain, this race is a tough physical challenge as well as a genuine cycling experience, with all the ingredients from the Haute Route cycling series, which this year promises 6 “real-life” events around the world.
Feel the adrenaline of the competition from your own home
In light of the current context, bringing together several tens of thousands of sportsmen and women is only possible through virtual events. With the Haute Route Watopia, cyclists from all over the world will be able to feel the adrenaline and thrill of the competition from their own living room, on their indoor cycling bikes. They will have the opportunity to compete against other like-minded cycling enthusiasts and take on the challenge together.
The first edition of the event, which took place in April 2020, was a great success, with 69,000 cyclists from twenty different countries signing up to take part, many of whom subsequently registered for the “real-life” races on the Haute Route circuit.
Despite it being a virtual event, Haute Route Watopia contains all the elements which the Haute Route cycling races have become famous for: a challenging course, a number of climbs, as well as a route through exceptional and iconic destinations, with Zwift having customised the roads of Watopia, the platform's virtual volcanic island, especially for the occasion.
The Haute Route Watopia is the perfect opportunity to discover all the magic of the Haute Route and prepare for the next events in the series, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Premium activities and services
The Haute Route also offers premium services to the participants to provide them with conditions that are worthy of professional racing. The cyclists have a number of different communication tools at their disposal to help apply themselves to the challenge and make it all the way to the finish line. They are given a roadbook of the race as well as a training plan, with weekly rides organised by Zwift bringing 800 cyclists together. On the day before each stage of the race, a briefing will be given to the riders on Instagram, led by Fergus Grant - the official spokesperson for the Haute Route – who will give all the information and advice required to make the race a success. Nutritional tips will be provided by our partner OTE Sports, and all participants will also receive a virtual Colnago bike (Title Partner of the Colnago Haute Route series) and a new jersey with a brand new design from Le Col (Official Partner of the Haute Route).
The route in detail
The route of this second edition comprises several of the most famous and popular routes of Zwift and offers a lot of entertainment along the way. The first stage, which is 51km long, will take place on a section of the Mega Pretzel Route and will end at the top of the KOM volcano, after 3 climbs and 800m of elevation gain. The riders will have to recover quickly from their efforts to face the longest stage the following day. On the program, 53km along the Pretzel route and 4 climbs including 1300m of elevation gain, with the finish line at the top of the Epic KOM Reverse. On Sunday February 28th, the queen stage of the race will include the entire Quatch Quest route and the final climb of the Alpe du Zwift, the biggest challenge of this 2021 edition, which should serve as the moment where the final rankings will be set in stone.
About the Haute Route
Featuring challenging 3-, 5- and 7-day events in iconic cycling destinations worldwide, the Haute Route is the world’s first global series of prestigious multi-day cycling events for amateur riders. The Haute Route’s objective is to deliver an unparalleled 'professional' experience for amateur cyclists. This means not only delivering first class hospitality and event management, but all the key ingredients that make up the culture and experience of professional road racing. The Haute Route has grown since 2011 to encompass this year’s 7events, including the 10th Anniversary of the first of its events, the Haute Route Alps.
Download the Haute Route Catalogue
Find out more at www.hauteroute.org
About the Haute Route Group
The Haute Route Group was set up in 2020 by independent investor Michael Hartweg, who acquired a major stake in the amateur cycling series. From 1 day – 7 day events, the vision of the Haute Route Group is to offer to cycling enthusiasts a premium, challenging and fun experience in iconic cycling destinations all around the world. Born in 2011 with the creation of the Haute Route Alps, the Group has grown over the past 10 years, developing the Global Haute Route Cycling series across 5 continents, and acquiring the Gran Fondo National Series in 2018, a series of 9 one-day cycling events in North America. This year, the Group has acquired Gravel Epic, the only multi-day gravel race event series in amazing destinations, and Race Across France, the first French ultra-cycling race for long distance and endurance cyclists.
