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The Haute Route Pyrenees Race Proves Huge Success

250 cyclists from 27 countries taking part in the Haute Route Pyrenees this past week enjoyed great conditions for the new 5-day format road race event

The Haute Route Pyrenees Race Proves Huge Success

The 250 amateur riders, who left Gerona in Spain last Wednesday, set out to cover 642 kilometres and nearly 15,000 metres of climb to complete in Pau on Sunday.  

Each start, finish, and stage throughout offered the cyclists spectacular scenery over the course of the 17 climbs. Marco Rodero Prada from Spain and Almudena Arrechea from Mexico were crowned overall male and female winners in Pau, just days ahead of the Tour de France stage.

Following on from the Haute Route Crans Montana event held last month over a three-day competition kick starting the season, the Haute Route Pyrenees has provided the excellent next level for riders who have been training hard and looking forward to getting back to competing. The five-day format, with racing along world class road, was deemed a great success by riders and race organisers alike.

The sense of camaraderie and team spirit synonymous with the Haute Route events was palpable throughout the competition. The riders finished to a great welcome in Pau, a city which has hosted 73 stages of the Tour de France and highly regarded by cycling enthusiasts.

Partners and organisers took extra care to ensure the best conditions for participants, providing full support along the stages and a workshop held by Mavic, refreshments, an informative briefing, and even a pasta party to maximise energy intake.

To tackle the challenge, cyclists were able to enjoy services enjoyed by professional cyclist races, with 5 mechanics, 30 masseurs, 30 safety motorcycles and 8 race cars.

The sense of camaraderie and team spirit synonymous with the Haute Route events was palpable throughout the competition.

"It was so so tough, but then we are happy because we all came through it together." summarises Alexandre, one of the finishers.

Organisers, celebrating the return to competition in the Pyrenees, found the new 5-day format for the event to be a great success with the participants

"The new format has proved a great hit with our competitors, the format gives riders a chance to travel, prepare and compete in just one week. It is also the ideal duration for those preparing to take the next leap to the 7-day event. The Pyrenees lends itself to this beautifully. The gruelling climbs on the fourth stage really proves how exceptionally challenging the competition gets and yet the passes at Peyresourde, Hourquette d'Ancizan and Tourmalet are highlights on the event and why riders choose to enter the Haute Route." said Jean-François Alcan, race director of the Haute Route Pyrenees.

Click here for the 5 day stage by stage summary videos.

Click here for the race results.

Click here for the full photo gallery.

It was so so tough, but then we are happy because we all came through it together

The Haute Route Alps - Next Race On The Calendar

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 Pyrenees was the second race on the Haute Route 2021 calendar. Amateur cyclists now have a date from August 22 to 28  for the Haute Route Alps, with 7 stages that will take the riders from Megève to Nice.

The remaining races in the Colnago Haute Route Series:

Haute Route Alps (August 22-28)

Haute Route Dolomites (August 31 - September 4)

Haute Route Ventoux (October 1-3)

Haute Route Brazil (October 22-24)

Click here for more information on the Haute Route races