In September this year, I will pay another visit to the French Alps for my very own Tour de France 2017.
Unlike during my previous Tour in 2014, when we switched locations four times, I have picked a single location for our base camp this year: Briançon.
Like Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Jausiers in 2014, the city of Briançon is strategically located at the base of several mountain passes…
It’s at the start of the climb up the Lautaret and Galibier to the west.
To the east, you enter Italy via the Col du Montgenèvre, towards Cesana Torinese.
This is at the start of two alternatives up to Sestriere.
Further east into Italy, near Susa, the infamous Finestre can be found, as well as the climb up Mont Cenis.
Briançon is also at the start of the Izoard running south.
Going down the Izoard, you can go further to the Agnel into Italy, or head to Guillestre for the Col de Vars or Risoul.
A bit into the climb of the Lautaret, you can take the dead end road up the Col du Granon, while to the east, the Echelle connects Briançon to Bardonecchia.
I’m planning on cycling the Gran Fondo Sestriere, which was part of the Marmotte series in 2016.
And if I’m really running out of challenges, I might consider cycling the route of the official Marmotte Alpes.
In which case a one night relocation to Bourg-d’Oisans would be advisable…
More info on the Tour de France 2017 later – stay tuned 🙂
