Race certified by Finishers: event approved by the organizer

GFNY Villard de Lans 2027

Photo credits: GFNY Villard de Lans

The event in a few words

In the heart of the Vercors, where nature seems to amaze ๐Ÿคฉ even the grumpiest ๐Ÿ˜พ, an unmissable event is on the horizon ๐Ÿ‘€.

Get ready to experience the most CRAZY cycling event in the area! ๐Ÿคช The GFNY Villars de Lans is waiting for youโ€ฆ ๐Ÿซต and your bike! You'll be riding in the heart of the mountains with temperatures between 5 and 20ยฐC. It's a bit of Russian roulette ๐ŸŽฐ at this level, but that's part of the game! ๐ŸŽฒ In any case, you won't be disappointed, we can guarantee that ๐Ÿ’ฏ.

Hold onto your handlebars ๐Ÿšด, because it's going to blow more than a gust of wind in the Alps ๐Ÿ’จ! Around Villard de Lans, there are unique roads through the Auvergne-Rhรดne-Alpes region that will show you all their colors ๐ŸŒˆ! Start at the Balcon de Villard (Cote 2000) ๐Ÿ, neutralized descent to wake you up ๐Ÿ˜ฌ, and off you go for the adventure! ๐Ÿงญ You'll pass through the mythical Gorges de la Bourne ๐Ÿž๏ธ, climb cols that live up to their name ๐Ÿ”๏ธ (spoiler: it's going to sting ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ), or play hide and seek with the sun in the tunnels โ˜€๏ธ.

You have two options ๐Ÿค”: the long 158 km route for the warriors ๐Ÿ’ช (with about 2000 mD+, just that ๐Ÿ“ˆ), or the medium 68 km route to keep some dignity (it's still quite tough, hey ๐Ÿ’ช). The long one is the full experience with the highest point at Font d'Urle (1500m) ๐Ÿ”๏ธ, the descent to the Col de la Machine ๐ŸŽข, and the finish seen by the champions of the Tour de France! ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท The medium one is the "I enjoy without exploding" version ๐Ÿ’ก, with the same scenery ๐Ÿ˜ but shorter (your legs will still hurt, promised ๐Ÿ˜…). Both routes end with the same 13km final climb ๐Ÿ”ฅ to Villard de Lans! This mythical finish has seen legendary victories like that of Laurent Fignon ๐Ÿ†! Like them, you'll cross the line smiling ๐Ÿ˜ (we hope) with your finisher medal ๐Ÿฅ‡!

After sweating like never before on your bike ๐Ÿ’ฆ, it's time to sit down and meltโ€ฆ your stress (and some cheese too ๐Ÿง€). Villard de Lans and the Vercors are paradise for sweet AND salty tooths ๐Ÿด. We're not going to beat around the bush (you've seen enough roads already ๐Ÿ™ƒ): here, it's raclette with bleu du Vercors-Sassenage, even in spring! ๐ŸŒธ You can also find gratin dauphinois ๐Ÿฅ”, traditional poached ravioli, risottos, everything to please everyone! You're not just going there to hurt yourself on a bike ๐Ÿšดโ€โ™‚๏ธ (although it is the house specialty ๐Ÿ˜œ). You can also explore the caves of the Vercors ๐Ÿ”ฆ (like the Choranche Cave, ranked among the seven wonders of the Dauphinรฉ ๐Ÿคฉ), visit the Resistance Museum ๐Ÿ›๏ธ to dive into the region's history during WWII ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท, or simply relax at the Belvedere of Chรขteau Julien ๐ŸŒ… to enjoy a sunset at 1522m altitude with a 360ยฐ view of the peaks ๐Ÿ”๏ธ.

So, are you ready to tackle the most beautiful climbs of the Vercors

4 reasons to join this race

A great way to feel alive ๐Ÿฆ‹
Something happens when you push the pedals up an endless climb. Your heart drums in your chest, your brain wonders why you subject yourself to this, your legs scream for help, but your body keeps going. It's then you realize why you started cycling. Why you wake up early on Sundays for your rides. Why you want to surpass yourself. The feeling of accomplishment at the end is worth all the cols of the world ๐Ÿ“ˆ.
Scenery that keeps you on edge ๐Ÿž๏ธ
Climbing is tough, let's not lie. But when you look up in the Gorges de la Bourne and see those cliffs above you, when you pass through a tunnel carved into the rock and emerge facing the valley, you tell yourself it's worth it. The descents on Combe Laval are really something. The road snakes between the cliffs, the turns follow one another, and it's just you, your bike, and the mountain. You don't forget those moments ๐Ÿ”๏ธ.
Alone is good, together is better ๐Ÿ‘ฅ
We often train alone. But riding with hundreds of other cyclists who are there for the same reason is something else. On the climbs, there's always someone for a "keep going" or a smile. We suffer together, push each other, respect each other. At the finish line, it's a celebration. You meet people from everywhere, exchange stories, and maybe make lifelong friends. It's like a second family ๐Ÿ’š
A chance to tick a box on your bucket list โœ…
The Tour de France came through here. Fignon won here. You've seen those images on TV hundreds of times. And now, it's you who will ride those same roads. The finish line at Villard de Lans is not just any line. When you cross it, you haven't just finished a race; you've ridden on a legendary road. If you finish in the top 20% of your category, you even qualify for the European Championship. Not bad for a day's work, right? ๐Ÿ†

A distance for every taste

163.4โ€‰km : The Long Course

Road CyclingThe most popular
  • End of May 2027
  • Elevation gainย :ย 3973mD+ / 3971mD-
  • 1 loopx163.4โ€‰km

A few more words

The cyclosportive GFNY Villard-de-Lans takes place in the heart of the Vercors Regional Natural Park ๐ŸŒ„. You ride on varied mountain roads, featuring limestone cliffs, gorges, valleys, alpine pastures, and plateaus.

After a short neutralized descent from the Balcon de Villard โ€“ Cรดte 2000, followed by a few rolling kilometers, you tackle the first climb: the Col de la Croix Perrin (1,218 m) ๐Ÿšตโ€โ™‚๏ธ. From km 30, the course becomes more rolling but remains challenging in the Gorges de la Bourne, on a road carved into the rock, with numerous viewpoints ๐Ÿชจ.

Approximately 50 km of gradual ascent follow until km 85 and the station of Font dโ€™Urle, the highest point of the route at 1,500 m โ›ฐ๏ธ. You then continue with 25 km of descent towards the Col de la Machine. The road of Combe Laval, carved into the cliff, crosses a striking natural circus and overlooks the Royannais ๐Ÿ‘€.

Take advantage of this sector to recover before the end of the course โšก. In the last 40 kilometers, you pass through several tunnels before tackling the Col dโ€™Herbouilly, whose summit is located at km 144 ๐Ÿšด. There are then 13 km remaining to reach Villard-de-Lans and the finish line, which has been used several times by the Tour de France ๐Ÿ.

The long course is a competition.

Only finishers of the long course are ranked by category and eligible for the general classification awards and podiums. To be ranked, you must complete the long course. The top 20% of each age category in the GFNY European Championship secure a spot in the Qualification Corral for GFNY global events.

GPX

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

You can collect your race number at the Balcon de Villard:

  • on Saturday, May 24, 2026, from 10 AM to 6 PM

  • on Sunday, May 25, 2026, from 6 AM to 7 AM (available only by reservation during your check-in, subject to availability)

The races will start on Sunday, May 25, 2026, at 8 AM from the Balcon de Villard.

Yes, the medical certificate is mandatory. It must be dated less than a year before the race date.

Yes, you must be at least 18 years old to participate in the races.

For the GFNY Villard de Lans 2026 pack (Long or Medium Route)

  • โ‚ฌ75 with an additional โ‚ฌ6 fee.

For the GFNY Villard de Lans 2026 VIP pack*:

  • โ‚ฌ275 with an additional โ‚ฌ22 fee

*Your extra benefits: 2 days of group and guided rides on May 22 and 23. Welcome aperitif on May 22, special registration area, priority starting block, and more surprises. (price includes taxes)

The route will close at 4 PM. Therefore, runners will have 8 hours to finish the race.

Refreshments will be available at km: 20 / 50 / 90.5 / 148.5 / Finish

If you have any questions left, you can contact the organizers by filling out the form by clicking here!

The race guide, mandatory reading for all runners, is available here!