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Bol d’Or Vélo – Le Castellet 2026

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Road CyclingMTBGravel Bike
😲 Unusual Venue🕒 Racing by the Hour🔗 In Pair
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The event in a few words

Have you always dreamed of riding on a Formula 1 circuit? 🏎️ Well, that day has come! Except, well... You'll have to do without a V8 engine roaring at 15,000 RPM. It's just your legs 🦵 and your cardio 🫀 that will explode 💥. Welcome to the Bol d'Or Vélo at the Circuit Paul Ricard in the Var ! 🎶 Don't worry, at the end of June, the weather is generally ideal, with a warm but bearable climate. Your muscles will heat up a bit during the day 🔥 but the night will refresh your mind 🌌.

For those at the back who skipped auto sport history courses 🎓, this is THE French mythic circuit at Castellet. Built in 1970 by Paul Ricard (yes, the one and only Mr. Pastis 🍹, genius of business AND circuits), this 5.8 km track has seen the greatest legends: Alain Prost winning his Grand Prix at home in 1983 (emotion guaranteed 🇫🇷), Michael Schumacher smashing records ⏱️. And now, it's YOUR turn to ride this legendary tarmac! Sure, you might go a bit slower than them (we're talking about 30 km/h vs. 300 km/h 🤫), but the adrenaline will be just as real! 🎢 You'll tackle fifteen turns with names typical of the PACA region, a 1.8 km straight line named "Mistral" where you'll understand why pilots love this circuit (spoiler: because you can REALLY go all out 💨), and you'll see the famous red and blue stripes bordering the track, making it unique. Avoid falling on them and turning your skin into a Picasso 🎨: they're very abrasive.

Let's dive into the heart of the matter: the Bol d'Or Vélo, it's an endurance race that gathers thousands of cyclists annually, all united by this crazy desire to ride 24h, 6h, or just a few laps on a legendary circuit 🤩. What's awesome (and we heavily insist on this point 👉), is that there are 7 different formats! From the mythical Bol d'Or 24h for those with titanium legs and a steel mindset 🦾, to the Discovery format for those who just want to try without overexerting themselves, to the Gravel and MTB versions because, why should road cyclists have all the fun? 🚵 You can come solo if you prefer to "suffer better alone" 😤, or form a team of up to 8 people and turn it into a relay among friends 👯. There's even a time trial ⌚️ version if you want to aim for the podium by attempting the fastest lap.

After surviving the Bol d'Or (congrats champ 🏅), it's crucial to recover smartly 😉. Just a few minutes away, Le Castellet 🏰 awaits with its medieval streets and view over the vineyards 🍇. In Sanary-sur-Mer, the Provençal market in the morning is an institution: colors, smells, singsong accents... and especially product quality! ✨ The calanques of Cassis are really worth a visit along the seashores 🌊 but good luck hiking 🥾 after your 24h (your calves will curse you 😂). And if you still have energy ⚡️, head to Marseille and its Old Port ⚓️, where you'll finally understand (or not) why you hear the word "fada" everywhere 🤪. On the culinary side 🍽️, the Marseillaise bouillabaisse, the garnished aïoli, panisses, and black olive tapenade to spread on EVERYTHING 🫒 will make you forget all the accumulated fatigue 🤤.

Come take a big breath of fresh air in the south of France ☀️. It'll be you and your bike taking on the clock! 🚲

4 reasons to join this race

Ride on a legendary circuit ⭐️
The Circuit Paul Ricard is not some small loop in a lost village at the end of the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region. No, we're talking about a LEGENDARY circuit that has hosted the greatest Formula 1 champions, from Niki Lauda to Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, and Lewis Hamilton. This time, it's your turn to write your own story on this circuit. The only catch is that you'll do it by bike! 😉
Formats for everyone 👥
The Bol d'Or Vélo has 7 different formats so everyone can find their happiness! The legendary "Bol d'Or 24h"? You need to be well-prepared (or come with a team of 8 and sleep between your laps, a viable strategy). The "Bol d'Or 6h"? Much more accessible, it's long but doable if you have a bit of training. Even in a team of 6, it’s just 1 hour of biking per person. The 6h Gravel and MTB formats? For those who want to discover the circuit differently. The "Time Trial"? One full-speed lap to test yourself, perfect for those who still want the circuit experience. And the "Discovery" format for beginners 📖.
The night is not an obstacle 🌙
Riding at night on a lit circuit is a unique experience. Between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM, at the Bol d’Or 24h, the world narrows down: the track, the artificial lighting, the surrounding darkness. The noise lowers, landmarks change, the Mistral straight seems endless. You ride in a form of solitude, between fatigue, focus, and fragile lucidity. The night tests both body and mind, and that's where endurance is truly challenged. When the day finally breaks, you understand why great races are won at night 🌅.
Head to the sunshine ☀️
The Bol d’Or takes place in Provence, allowing it to be easily combined with a real vacation. The circuit at Castellet is ideally located between sea and mountains, close to Toulon, Marseille, and the Var coastline. The village of Castellet, perched and listed among the most beautiful in France, offers a remarkable setting, as do the surroundings: Bandol vineyards, Sanary's ports, Cassis calanques. A race weekend can naturally extend to a few days of recovery by the Mediterranean Sea 🌊.

Message from the organizer:

"Our aim is to allow as many people as possible to ride on a legendary circuit and experience an unforgettable human adventure, regardless of their level."

A distance for every taste

5.8 km : Bol d'Or 24h

Road CyclingThe most popular
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Road Cycling😲 Unusual Venue🕒 Racing by the Hour
  • 27 Sat, 3:00 PM ➜ June 28, 2026
  • Distinct starting and finishing locations

A few more words

On the Paul Ricard Circuit 🏎️, you will start on the pit straight, wide and perfectly smooth. The action will be immediate. 🎬 The first turn, Sainte-Baume, will come quickly. You will follow with Virage de l’Hôtel, a fast left, then Virage du Camp, more open.

You will then arrive at the Mistral straight. Nearly two kilometers uninterrupted. Here, everything depends on managing effort and wind 💨 (yes, we are close to the sea 🌊). If it’s headwind, you have to stabilize your power and accept the loss of speed.

At the end of Mistral, you will approach Signes, a very fast right ⚡️. On a bicycle, you will take it almost without braking, but it requires a clean trajectory and good positioning before the next section. You will then switch into the more technical zone of the circuit with Beausset, a long left that closes slightly.

You will continue with Bendor then Virage du Lac, slower curves that break the accumulated speed. The transitions will follow one after another, your thighs will start to heat up 🔥. There will be no elevation change, but the repetition of accelerations will take its toll 😅.

The end of the lap will go through Virage de la Verrerie then Pont, clean but demanding turns if you want to maintain speed. You will progressively return towards the pit straight 🏁, with one last push before completing the lap ✅.

Lap after lap, the circuit remains identical: no climbs to vary the effort, no descents to truly recover. Everything depends on consistency, the ability to maintain constant power, and staying alert in the fast turns. The Paul Ricard, in this configuration, is a challenging cycling route due to its length, exposure, and repetition of efforts, more than its pure technical difficulty.

Remember, if you are tired, you can always return to your box and pass your relay. And if the night brings advice 🌙, then go for it! It could make all the difference! 😉

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

You can collect your participation kit at the Welcome Center of the Circuit Paul Ricard, which will open its doors on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 7:00 PM. Access will be through the main entrance.

It's also possible to collect the starting kit on the morning of the race. The Welcome Center will be open from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 27, 2026, and from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

The races will start at the Circuit Paul Ricard:

  • Bol d'Or Discovery: Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 9:30 AM.

  • Bol d'Or Time Trial: Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 11:30 AM.

  • Bol d'Or 6h Gravel and MTB: Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 2:45 PM.

  • Bol d'Or 24h: Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 3:00 PM.

  • Bol d'Or 6h (Road): Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 9:00 AM.

Providing a medical document is mandatory based on your profile:

  • Non-licensed: Medical certificate indicating no contraindication to competitive cycling less than 1 year old or FFC health module certification (valid for 4 months).

  • Licensed FFC, UFOLEP, FSGT, FFTri: Current year's license allowing competition.

  • Licensed FFCT and non-competition FFC licenses: Medical certificate or FFC health module certification is mandatory.

The events are open to adults on the day of the event (born before 12/31/2008). However, the Bol d'Or Discovery format is accessible to all from the age of 2. Parental authorization is required for minors participating in other formats during administrative checks.

  • Registration fees depend on the discipline and the size of your team:

    • Bol d'Or 24h:

      • Solo: €190

      • Duo: €160 per person

      • Trio: €160 per person

      • Quartet: €150 per person

      • Team of 6: €135 per person

      • Team of 8: €110 per person

    • Bol d'Or 6h (Bike):

      • Solo: €80

      • Duo: €75 per person

      • Trio: €55 per person

      • Quartet: €50 per person

      • Team of 6: €45 per person

    • Bol d'Or 6h (Gravel):

      • Solo: €65

      • Duo: €60 per person

      • Trio: €55 per person

    • Bol d'Or 6h (MTB):

      • Solo: €65

      • Duo: €70 per person

      • Trio: €65 per person

    • Bol d'Or Discovery: €5 per person

    • Bol d'Or Time Trial: €20 per person

  • A deposit check or a credit card imprint of €75 will be requested from the captain during checks for the timing chip.

A refreshment area is reserved for competitors. External assistance and refreshments are strictly prohibited on the track and must be conducted exclusively in the boxes.

Yes, here it is:

  • Helmet: Mandatory and fastened as soon as you are on a bike.

  • Night lighting: Fixed rear red light mandatory between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM. For MTB and Gravel, a white front light is also required.

  • Plate and bib: The number plate must be visible at the front, and the bib fixed on the right side of the back.

  • Chip: It must be attached to the left ankle.

The track is fully lit for the safety of the runners.

Bike lighting is mandatory during the night period from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The red light fixed on the rear of the bike is mandatory for the 24h and 6h track races. For the "Gravel" and "MTB" races, front and rear lighting is mandatory.

Any lighting defect means you must stop at your box to proceed with the repair.

In case of reported fault and non-compliance with this rule, referees may apply a penalty.

You will have access to the living zone where you can leave a vehicle, a tent, etc.

However, it is not recommended to sleep in the box as it is a passageway for brief stops.

The relay is performed only in the "RELAY ZONE," and only the relays are permitted there. No assistance (companion or runner who is not taking the relay) is allowed. Non-compliance with these rules will result in the team being penalized.

In any case, the "PITLANE RELAY ZONE" must be free, under penalty of a penalty for the team. The race strategy and management of relays are free.

Stand speed will be automatically controlled by the organization. To ensure the safety of competitors, each must respect the stands' maximum authorized speed of 20 km/h under penalty of sanctions.

Be careful not to remove the chip before reaching your team relay.

The number of relay passages is free, you choose.

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