La Granfondo Vosges is a challenging and long Granfondo with start and finish in La Bresse for a total distance of 178km (Granfondo) or 121km (Mediofondo) with a lot of elevation in the beautiful tourist region of Les Vosges in France.
General
The ski area of La Bresse Hohneck is situated 9km above the city of La Bresse. The ski-resort has 6 green, 14 blue, 13 red and 1 black slope. The town is based at an elevation of 900m while the slopes start from an elevation of 1100 to 1350m
The area is also popular in summer time with a bike park and many activities for children.
All information on the area can be found on labresse.labellemontagne.com
Granfondo
Starting from the La Bresse-Hohneck station, this longest Granfondo in the UCI Gran Fondo World Series takes you over a number of often short but steep climbs for a total distance of 178km and 3500m of elevation.
After the start and a tour around the Lispach domaine and its lake, riders head for La Croix des Moinats (891m), followed by le Cols des Hayes (875m), col de Morbieux (791m) and le Mont de Fourche (620m), 4 consecutive climbs who often start at the bottom from 450m above sea level.
The middle part in between km 60-110 is easier on undulating roads to pass through the town of Plombières-les-bains before heading to a hard second half with Col de la Demoiselle and le Pas de l’Ane. The Haut du Tôt (863m) is 5.5km long and has several parts over 10%. Also the final two climbs, le col de la Grosse Pierre (954m) which is 10km long and the 9km towards the finish line in La Bresse-Hohneck (898m) are not very steep but will challenge you at the end.
The Granfondo is the qualifying distance for all men 19-59 seeking qualification for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.
Mediofondo
Reduced in distance but as attractive as the Granfondo, the Mediofondo course has the same character. Beautiful climbs wait for you with guaranteed cycling please. The start is the same as the Granfondo until km 60 where the Granfondo heads north and the Mediofondo bends towards the east to rejoin the Granfondo at its 146km point. There is one additional climb on the shortcut with the col du Peutet (645m), but the final 30km also follows the Granfondo route with The Haut du Tôt (863m), 5.5km long with several parts over 10%. Also the final two climbs, le col de la Grosse Pierre (954m) which is 10km long and the 9km towards the finish line in La Bresse-Hohneck (898m) are not very steep but will challenge you at the end.
The mediofondo is the qualifying distance for those seeking qualification for Worlds for all women and men 60+.