The new cyclosportive, on the roads of the future 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships
On Sunday, September 6, 2026, just a year before the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc, cycling enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience the event ahead of time. The first edition of the Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Classic – Bernard Hinault Experience will invite them to take on the roads of the Pays du Mont-Blanc, where the world’s best riders will compete less than a year later.
Conceived as one of the first major public events in the run-up to the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships in Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc, this new cyclosportive (mass-participation road cycling event) will give amateur riders the chance to enjoy, for one day, an experience as close as possible to that of the champions. Starting from Sallanches, two characterful routes – 105 km and 165 km – will take participants along the region’s most iconic roads.
The Col de la Colombière, the Glières plateau, the Col des Aravis and the legendary Domancy climb: iconic ascents that have shaped cycling history and will feature among the highlights of the future UCI World Championships. A unique experience combining sporting challenge, heritage and emotion, in the footsteps of women and men champions alike.
Michel Callot, President of the Organising Committee for the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc and President of the French Cycling Federation : “With the inaugural Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Classic – Bernard Hinault Experience, the countdown has truly begun. This cyclosportive is one of the first major public events on the road to the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc. It perfectly embodies the legacy we aim to create: enabling as many people as possible to take ownership of this exceptional event and making cycling a lasting legacy shared by all.”
Martial Saddier, President of the Haute-Savoie Department, host territory: “It is a great source of pride for Haute-Savoie to host the first edition of the Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Classic – Bernard Hinault Experience. Between lakes, mountains and legendary mountain passes, Haute-Savoie offers an exceptional playground for cyclists from around the world. This cyclosportive will give thousands of enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the emotion of these iconic roads before the champions do. One year ahead of the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc, it marks an important milestone and perfectly illustrates the partnership between the Organising Committee, the Haute-Savoie Department and the UCI, as well as our shared ambition to establish Haute-Savoie sustainably as a land of cycling and major international events.
Our thanks also go to Bernard HINAULT, an outstanding champion and ambassador of the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc.”
THE CHALLENGE ROUTE: 105 KM
With its 105 kilometres and 2,500 metres of elevation gain, the Challenge route offers an accessible yet demanding adventure through Haute-Savoie’s most iconic landscapes.
Starting from Sallanches, participants will head towards the Col de la Colombière via its toughest side. This legendary climb, 16.2 kilometres long at an average gradient of 6.8%, with ramps of more than 15%, will provide the first major test of the day. Featured 23 times in the Tour de France, it is one of the most renowned mountain passes in French cycling.
Once over the summit, riders will enjoy a long descent to Le Grand-Bornand, where a first refreshment stop will await them at kilometre 48. They will then ride through La Clusaz before taking on the Col des Aravis, one of Alpine cycling’s essential climbs.
The route will then continue towards Megève before the much-anticipated encounter with the legendary Domancy climb in the heart of the Pays du Mont-Blanc. It was on this iconic ascent that Bernard Hinault claimed his world title in 1980. One final intense effort before returning to Sallanches and crossing the finish line with the feeling of having experienced an exceptional day of cycling.
Refreshment stops will be available at Le Grand-Bornand (km 48) and at the summit of the Col des Aravis (km 61).
THE ENDURANCE ROUTE: 165 KM
With its 165 kilometres and nearly 4,000 metres of elevation gain, the Endurance route is designed for cyclists seeking a challenge on a par with the greatest Alpine cyclosportives.
After an opening section shared with the Challenge route and the ascent of the Col de la Colombière, where Julian Alaphilippe powered away to his stage victory in 2018, participants will branch off towards the Glières plateau, a historic stronghold of the French Resistance. This 9.9 km climb at 8.2% winds through wild surroundings and ends with a gravel section. Riders will then pass through Nâves-Parmelan, go beyond the 100 km mark and continue on towards Thônes and La Clusaz. It will then be time to tackle the famous Col des Aravis and its 17.3 km at 4.9%. Used 19 times by Tour de France professionals and lying on the Route des Grandes Alpes, it offers breathtaking views of Mont Blanc from the summit. Finally, after passing through Megève, riders will need to save enough energy for the fearsome Domancy climb, 2.6 km at an average gradient of 8.6%, with sections approaching 15%!
One final battle against the gradient before returning to Sallanches and savouring the achievement of an exceptional route, on the roads that will host the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc.
Refreshment stops will be available at Le Grand-Bornand (km 48), at the summit of the Glières (km 64), in Thônes (km 105) and at the summit of the Col des Aravis (km 123).
IN BERNARD HINAULT’S SLIPSTREAM
Much more than a cyclosportive, this first edition will give participants the exceptional opportunity to ride on the roads that will host the road race at the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc. In particular, they will take on one of the most mythical sites in French cycling: the Domancy climb.
It was on these demanding slopes that Bernard Hinault won the world title in 1980 and added another chapter to his legend. That same year, American rider Beth Heiden claimed the women’s rainbow jersey after four ascents of the Domancy climb. Forty-six years later, participants will in turn be able to take on this ascent, as short as it is fearsome, feel the intensity of its gradients and measure themselves against a piece of cycling history.
A unique experience combining performance, sporting heritage and emotion, in the footsteps of one of the greatest champions of all time.
As patron of the event, the five-time Tour de France winner perfectly embodies the spirit of this cyclosportive: a demanding challenge for all those who dream of taking on legendary roads.
Bernard Hinault: “I am very pleased to be patron of this cyclosportive. This race, open to amateur riders, is an excellent way to launch the festivities one year before the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc.
It is also a wonderful opportunity to discover this magnificent region and these roads that belong to the great history of cycling. We are fortunate to practise a sport in which everyone can ride the same roads as the greatest champions. By taking in the Col de la Colombière, the Col des Aravis and the Domancy climb, which remains one of the strongest memories of my career, participants will enjoy a unique experience on legendary routes.
I hope this first edition will inspire many cycling enthusiasts to take up the challenge and come and share this great celebration of cycling with us.”
Registration is open on the event’s official website. Participants will be welcomed in Sallanches from Saturday, September 5 for bib collection and the opening of the village. The following day, the sporting challenge begins, with two secure routes designed to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Registration
and further information on the website:
https://hsmbclassic.com/
hsmbclassic.com | @hsmb.classic
About the Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Classic – Bernard Hinault Experience
The Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Classic – Bernard Hinault Experience is a new cyclosportive organised in Sallanches–Pays du Mont-Blanc, in the heart of the Alps, in the exceptional setting of Haute-Savoie.
Inspired by the greatest races and backed by Bernard Hinault, it offers a high-level sporting experience open to all, combining performance with discovery of the region.
Designed as a legacy of the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc, it aims to establish itself as a major fixture on the international cyclosportive calendar.
About the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc
From August 24 to September 5, 2027, France and Haute-Savoie will host the second edition of the UCI Cycling World Championships, an extraordinary event bringing together 20 UCI World Championships across 16 iconic venues: Annecy, Châtel – Portes du Soleil, Cluses, Doussard, La Clusaz, La Roche-sur-Foron, Les Gets, Morillon – Grand Massif, Rumilly, Sallanches – Domancy, – Pays du Mont-Blanc, Samoëns – Grand Massif, Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny, Thônes, Vétraz-Monthoux – Annemasse, Evian-les-Bains and the National Velodrome of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (78).
More than 15,000 athletes from the 206 UCI member federations will compete for 288 UCI world titles in an event set to make cycling history. This edition will showcase a wide range of cycling disciplines, including Olympic and Paralympic events, while also giving unprecedented visibility to lesser-known disciplines and formats open to amateur riders — a true celebration of cycling, from the highest international level to participation for all.
Designed as an open and unifying event, it places gender equality and inclusion at the heart of its organisation. Created with and for the region, the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc aim to leave a lasting legacy, supporting the development of cycling, the cycling industry and year-round mountain tourism.
