ROUND 1 - EIFFAGE COL DE LA LOZE TIME TRIAL - Sunday 20 June 2021

Col de la Loze: the race for the polka-dot jersey is on!

After a year’s absence, cyclists were back for the first round of the Eiffage Col de la Loze Time Trial this Sunday 20 June. At 2,304 m of altitude, the 7th highest pass in France has, for 2 years, become the unmissable route for lovers of the pedal and the “petite reine”, with a Tour de France stage finish in 2020. For the official opening of the Col de la Loze for this 2021 season, despite a very uncertain weather forecast, around forty competitors were present for the ascent of 1,100 m of elevation gain over 17.3 km, with a new start from Courchevel Le Praz, at the foot of the 2023 World Ski Championships piste.

In the end, conditions were on our side, with sun, a mild temperature and a few gusts of wind over the last kilometres. The 2021 edition was kicked off at 10 am. One by one, participants set off in a time trial at 30-second intervals, following tradition: the least experienced first and the elites last.

First reference times for Corinne Favre and Artur Blanc 

Having put aside his touring skis, a new career as a cyclist is taking shape for the athlete with an international ski mountaineering record, Arthur Blanc , who pulls on the polka-dot jersey of best climber of the Col de la Loze with a magnificent time of 47min09s. After riding around ten National 1 races for Charvieu-Chavagneux IC since 1 November last year, Arthur will join the Swiss Racing Academy team at the beginning of July, led by four-time time trial world champion Fabian Cancellara. Johan De Oliveira, a member of team Jallet Auto, came second in 50min34s, a handful of seconds ahead of Swann Juillaguet third in 50min46s.

Among the women, the eternal Corinne Favre, having conquered Everest at the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel 2021 finale on 21 March in ski mountaineering, pulls on the polka-dot jersey by setting the bar at 1h05min28s. Team winner of the extraordinary Dynastar X3 triathlon on 23 May 2021, Alice Niemaz took the second step of the podium in 1h10min46s ahead of Pascale Gachet-Mauroz in 1h26min40s.

3 rounds for this 2021 edition

Some very fine performances have already been recorded at the end of this 1st round, but nothing is settled at this stage of the competition. Indeed, 2 other dates are scheduled, 18 July and 22 August, to compete for the 2021 polka-dot jersey, which will be awarded the Crystal trophy and €500 prize money. From 18 July, the barbecue will be back at the finish. Surprises planned by Jean-Luc Chedal, president of the organising club Courchevel Sports Outdoor Cyclisme, and his whole team will enliven this next round, not forgetting the presentation of water bottles bearing the race’s emblem to all participants: you need to ride in under 1 hour for the gold bottle, under 1h10min for the Vermeil, under 1h25min for the silver, under 1h40min for the bronze, and there is no time limit for the finisher bottle, which will also be given to all participants registered in the e-bike category (unranked). To prepare for the extraordinary Felt X3 Triathlon on Sunday 15 August, registered triathletes will be invited to the second round of the season, which promises a fierce contest as a preview.

Next date: Sunday 18 July