Stage 1
From the stunning Aravis, to the soaring heights of Colombière, and the bold climb to Côte 2000, Stage 1 was the perfect start to the 10th edition of the Haute Route Alps. The opening stage of this seven-day race from Megève to Nice did not pull any punches with a 110km course with 3100m+ of elevation gain. Brazilian rider Antonio Garnero beat Frenchman Loic Ruffaut to the finish line in a thrilling sprint for the men’s stage win. British rider Lisa Bowyer beat Linda Farczadi to the finish line to take the women’s stage win.
Stage 2
Stage 2 of the 2021 Haute Route Alps saw 450 cyclists ride 109km from Megève to Tignes, conquering some all-time climbs along the way, including the stunning Cormet de Roselend. Loic Ruffaut topped the men’s results, with Garnero Antonio coming in second. Danish rider Luise Valentin beat Lisa Bowyer to the finish line to take the women’s stage win, extending her GC lead. Tomorrow the peloton will take on the Queen Stage of the 2021 event, riding a legendary 182km course with 4700m+ of elevation over some of the finest climbs in the Alps.
Stage 3
450 riders took on the toughest ever stage of the Haute Route Alps, riding 182 km from Tignes to Alpe d’Huez in a course for the ages. The Queen Stage of 2021 brought together a formidable and awe-inspiring collection of legendary climbs with 4,700 m+ of elevation gain. Brazilian rider Antonio Garnero beat Frenchman Loic Ruffaut to the finish line for the men’s stage win. British rider Luise Valentin beat Lisa Bowyer to the finish line to take the women’s stage win.
Stage 4
The 2021 time trial for the Haute Route Alps was one for the history books, with riders climbing the 21 famous hairpins from Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez in a brutal uphill sprint. Leaving the ramped startline in intervals, riders climbed 1130 m over the 15.5-kilometre course. Antonio Garnero topped the men’s results with a lightning-fast time of 43:51. Luise Valentin extended her women’s GC lead with the fastest time of the day.
Stage 5
While it was one of the shortest stages of the 2021 race, Stage 5 of the Haute Route Alps was a real beauty. The peloton rode from Alpe d’Huez to Serre Chevalier over 86 km through the Alps. After the long climb to Col du Lautaret, the Col du Granon’s breathtaking ascent was a true battle of will. Antonio Garnero topped the men’s results to take the GC lead. Luise Valentin extended her women’s GC lead with another stage win.
Stage 6
Stage Six of the 2021 Haute Route Alps was all about the stunning climb to Cime de la Bonette. In the penultimate stage of the event, the peloton rode from Serre Chevalier Briançon to Auron, conquering the 2802m pass along the way. Antonio Garnero topped the men’s results after thrilling battle with Lois Rauffaut. Luise Valentin beat Lisa Bowyer to the finish line to take the women’s stage win.
Stage 7
The 10th edition of the Haute Route Alps came to a thrilling finish on the shoreline of Nice after seven punishing days riding through France’s finest roads. Antonio Garnero topped the men’s results to hold onto the top General Classification position over Loic Ruffaut. Luise Valentin beat Lisa Bowyer to complete her clean sweep of the women’s stage wins and top the women’s GC standings.
Photos – Haute Route
