With the Alps Epic, there will be another mountain bike stage race under the name "Epic" in 2016. The format of the race has not been reinvented either: The "Grande Traversée des Hautes-Alpes" includes a prologue and five stages of 50 to 70 kilometers on trails that make mountain bikers' hearts beat faster. The route of the Grande Traversée will also include new sections in each edition and the race will be ridden in teams of two, as is customary.

For the first edition of the Alps Epic, the organizers are offering two different packages - the Blue Package with overnight stay in the Alps Epic Camp and the Black Package where participants can stay in the best accommodation on site. When it comes to accommodation and meals, the organizers make sure that the typical French touch is not missing.
Starting places are limited to 100 teams for the first edition. Registrations can be made immediately.

The stages
After the prologue, the participants will be sent on the first stage on July 4th with start and finish in Briançon. 63 kilometers and 2,900 vertical meters with the long ascent to the Col de Lauteret are on the Map, but there are also beautiful trails with views of the La Grave-La Meije glacier and a breathtaking descent to Briançon.

The second stage, with around 4,000 meters of ascent, is a real challenge. The riders are ridden over the Col d'Izzard on this 59-kilometer section. The route continues on high alpine single trails down into the valley to Montdauphin.

Judging the third stage by the kilometers would be wrong. Because on the 37-kilometre stage with start and finish in Montdauphin, the participants have to overcome a whopping 2,350 meters in altitude, which is pretty tough over the short distance. Here, too, the finest single trails and cool descents should once again provide plenty of exhilaration.On the penultimate stage, the altitude difference is spread out a little better. There are 2,500 vertical meters to climb on the 46 kilometers from Montdauphin to Embrun. On this day, the Epic bikers can enjoy a few flat sections as well as the singletrail-sown banks of the Durance River.While the final stage of most stage races is a little more merciful, the Alps Epic gives you another full load of altitude meters on your calves. Technical delights on the Grand Parpaillon and Les Orres, two long climbs and thin air at altitude challenge the athletes one last time on the final lap with start and finish in Embrun.www.alpsepic.com