The nearest airports are Geneva Airport (GVA), Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Zurich (ZRH). You can take the train from Geneva to Sierre then the funicular to Crans-Montana.

Haute Route Crans Montana offer a shuttle service from Geneve Airport (GVA) to Crans Montana (2h30 transfer). Riders and their bike boxes can be transferred using this option. One shuttle service is available on the Thursday at 1:00 pm. Please ensure your flight lands at least one hour before shuttle departure. This transfer is available at £80. £160 for the return transfer with departure on Sunday.

When you arrive into Crans Montana, make your way to your hotel. Today is also the day of event registration. Once you have registered, it is time to relax and unwind, ahead of tomorrow’s first stage.

Breakfast in line with the stage timings.

Stage 1 Route Description

Stage One begins with a descent – that takes the riders out of Crans Montana and gives them a little time to test out the legs, before they reach the first climb of the day; the seven-kilometre ascent up to Anzère. Although this is the first climb of the event and there is a 24-kilometre descent to follow, riders should be cautious of pushing too hard up this first test. Remember that the remaining two climbs today also pack a punch.

The climb to the spa village of Ovronnaz has previously been featured in the Tour de Suisse. The professionals, however, make it look a lot easier than it is. The climb has an average gradient of 9.9%, and follows the Salentse river through pine forests and pastures. Don’t miss the view over Rhône Valley and Grand Muveran, before you reach the feed station at the top. Take your time when re-fueling here, before heading off to tackle the last col of the day. One of the finest Switzerland has to offer.

At they pass through Conthey, riders will quickly realise they have started the climb to Col du Sanetsch.  This is a climb that means business. The first kilometre alone ramps up to an average gradient of 10.9%. The road winds through beautiful terraced vineyards towards the village of Erde. Here riders can look forward to catching their breath over five kilometres, before the road rises up again to an average between 7-10%. A series of steep switchbacks lead riders out of the forest and into vast open pastures above the tree line. A short stretch of gravel (approximately 200m) and a dramatic tunnel leads to beautiful glacial views will take your breath away as you continue on upwards to the summit finish at 2,252m. Bringing together the quaint terraced villages, ancient forests and stark alpine landscapes, Sanetsch is one of the Switzerland’s greatest climbs.

After crossing the finish line at the summit, the timing will stop, and riders can catch their breath and take in the beautiful views. From here, riders will then point for home and enjoy the 47km transition towards Sierre. Here you will then board a cable car back to the event village. Enjoy this moment, as your next trip from Sierre to Crans-Montana will be much harder, making up part of the Stage 3 time trial.

On the road

• Marshals
• Motorcycle Escorts
• Security Vehicles
• Mavic Mechanical Support
• Medical Assistance
• Live timing system
• Feed Stations

Post-stage

• Secure Bike Park
• Bike Wash Area
• Hot Meal
• Massage
• Daily Ranking and Awards
• Safety Briefing
• Drinks Party

This evening there will be a race briefing for tomorrow’s stage.

Breakfast in line with stage timings.

Stage 2 Route Description.

As the peloton head out of Crans-Montana, they can enjoy ticking off some faster miles before reaching Bramois and turning off left to make their way up the Côte de Saint Martin. This steady climb giving riders the chance to test out the climbing legs after yesterday’s effort, whilst taking in the panoramic views, traditional villages and vineyards that surround them. After heading downhill towards Euseigne, riders will then prepare to climb to Barrage de la Grande Dixence – the biggest dam in Europe and the tallest gravity dam in the world, with some steep hairpins to match. This 13.7km climb has an average gradient of 7.7% but be warned, some of the hardest kilometres are saved until last and upon reaching Pralong, prepare for the road to ramp up – with double figures featuring right up to the dam wall.

At 2,110m+, the road stops at the bottom of the dam, with the huge wall towering in front of you. Make sure you factor in some time after the event to visit the lake (and the 700m zip-line) but for now, it is time to finish off this incredible stage as you follow the road back down the way you came. Enjoy the descent and a flatter section before taking on the 15km climb from Lens to Crans-Montana, with the added motivation that once you have completed this 1,000m elevation gain, you can look forward to a well-deserved massage and post-stage meal after an incredible day on the bike.

On the road

• Marshals
• Motorcycle Escorts
• Security Vehicles
• Mavic Mechanical Support
• Medical Assistance
• Live timing system
• Feed Stations

Post-stage

• Secure Bike Park
• Bike Wash Area
• Hot Meal
• Massage
• Daily Ranking and Awards
• Safety Briefing
• Drinks Party

This evening there will be a race briefing for tomorrow’s time trial stage.

Breakfast will be in line with stage timings.

Stage 3 Route Description

Leaving Sierre, riders should prepare to get sweaty as they leave the sunniest city in Switzerland and take on the 15-kilometre time trial up to Col de Crans-Montana. Enjoying the beautiful Chateau Mercier leaving the city, riders head towards a road off the beaten track, surrounded by vineyards.

This climb offers little respite, so make sure you pace your effort whilst hunting down the riders in front and racing against the clock. You will reach the hardest kilometre (10.4% average gradient) before Aminona but after this you can look forward to leaving the forest and taking in the panoramic views of the peaks of the Valais. This is a fitting backdrop and a breathtaking end to your Swiss cycling experience, as you grind over the final few kilometres before crossing the line as a finisher of Haute Route Crans-Montana.

On the road

• Marshals
• Motorcycle Escorts
• Security Vehicles
• Mavic Mechanical Support
• Medical Assistance
• Live timing system
• Feed Stations

Post-stage

• Secure Bike Park
• Bike Wash Area
• Hot Meal
• Massage
• Daily Ranking and Awards
• Safety Briefing
• Drinks Party

We expect an early start and after the finish, the closing party will take place. After the final stage, it is time to say goodbye.

There is one shuttle service available on the Sunday at 2:00 pm. Please ensure your flight takes off after 6:30 pm, if you wish to make use of this service.