GFNY Grand Ballon 2026
- Next event : Sun, July 12, 2026Date confirmed
The event in a few words
We hope you're in good shape, because the GFNY Grand Ballon is no joke! 🚵♂️ No ball games on the agenda, just a solid bike race 🔥. Head to the Haut-Rhin department, in the Grand Est region, for a high-flying cycling challenge ✈️. The event takes place mid-May starting from the beautiful city of Thann 📍. With 2 events on the program, you can choose between full mountain immersion or a more accessible but equally spectacular format 🏞️. The main course? A 147 km route with 4,043 mD+. There's also an intermediate format offering 70 km for 1,826 mD+ 🥵. It's the perfect chance to tackle the legendary slopes of the Vosges massif, under the global colors of the GFNY label 💚.
Regarding the route, it's a true terrain expertise 💪. You'll leave the historical center of Thann to immediately tackle the Plan Diebold. All this before reaching the local giant: the Grand Ballon, the highest point of the Vosges at 1,325 m altitude 📈. The course is demanding with technical sections, notably the Wasserbourg climb with slopes over 21%! 😳 Don't worry, you'll still enjoy it, with the magnificent landscapes you'll pass through. You'll ride on often granular tarmac, typical of the region, crossing places rich in history like the Viel Armand 📚. Between the dense forests, the hairpin roads of the Petit Ballon, and the windswept ridges, your speedometer will heat up as much as your calves. 🌡️
The atmosphere is a well-organized pro but keeps a village soul ⭐️. Nearly 200 volunteers do their utmost to secure intersections and cheer you on like crazy 🎺. Passing through a dozen typical Alsatian villages in the Florival valley, the welcome will always be warm 🏘️. Plus, on the road, you'll have thematic refreshments that will give you a good boost before the finish (we're talking energy, not drinks obviously) 🤣. After the effort, head to the center of Thann for the Pasta Party and concerts 🍝. It's time to relive the race with friends over a good plate of pasta and beautiful music 😍.
If you're coming with family, the area is a gem! 🫂 Outside the race, we recommend a unique visit to the Collégiale Saint-Thiébaut, a Gothic masterpiece, or a stroll along the Thur 🏰. For kids, the Parc du Petit Prince is nearby and offers a perfect fun outing to unwind 💤. The Alsace is also home to the Wine Route, so don't hesitate to wander through the steep vineyards to admire the view over the plain to the Bernese Alps 🍇. As for gastronomy, you'll be delighted 🤩. Sauerkraut, kougelhopf, nonnettes, Munster Valley pie…🧀 You'll leave with a well-filled belly! 😋
4 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
146 kmTOP
70 km
- Sunday, July 12, 2026
- Elevation gain : 4041mD+
- 1 loopx146 km
A few more words
The Long Journey (147 km, 4,043 mD+) 🔴 This is the ultimate challenge, the one that will test your physical limits and your steel mentality! 😤 The start is in the heart of Thann, where the electric atmosphere of the group will quickly make you forget the morning chill. No easy warm-up: after just 1 km, you turn to tackle the Plan Diebold, an unknown climb that serves as an appetizer before the main attraction: the Grand Ballon 🏔️. You ascend to an altitude of 1,325 m on the roof of the Vosges, with a bird's eye view over the Alsace plain coming to life 🌅. Once you cross over, you reach the Markstein station at km 35, before plunging into the Florival valley.
Enjoy the crossing of typical villages to recover, as the following is formidable. At km 70, the Col du Firstplan gets you back in, but it's the ascent of Wasserbourg that will leave a mark: a brutal slope with sections over 21% where you'll have to handle the gears! 📉 You then follow with the Petit Ballon (km 86.5) and the Col du Platzerwasel (km 103), two challenging ascents winding through forests and high-altitude pastures. Fatigue sets in, but the crossing of the Route des Crêtes offers a spectacular panorama that helps push on the pedals 🚴. You'll have to face the summit of the Grand Ballon a second time from another side before reaching the Viel Armand (km 128), a historical site where the silence of the woods commands respect. 🪖
The end of the course passes through Cernay ; be careful, the last flat kilometers to Thann are often against the wind 💨. Stay well tucked into a group to conserve your strength before crossing the finish line as a hero! 🏁
70 km : The Medium Route
Road Cycling- Sunday, July 12, 2026
- Elevation gain : 1800mD+
- 1 loopx70 km
A few more words
The "Medium Route" (70 km, 1,826 mD+) 🟢 Don't be fooled by its shorter distance, this route is a pure mountain juice Vosges concentrate! ⚡️ Like the long circuit, you start from the historic center of Thann for an immediate introduction. The ascent of the Plan Diebold and then the legendary Grand Ballon gets you straight into the thick of things 🏔️. It's a legendary climb, long and steady, where you can soak in the grandiose landscapes of the Ballons des Vosges Natural Park 🌲.
Once you reach the iconic Markstein station (which saw the pros in the 2023 Tour de France ⭐️) you begin the second phase of your journey. Here, you turn around to start a technical and exhilarating descent. You will pass through the Viel Armand, offering a winding descent amidst the remnants of the Great War, before reaching the plains 📉.
The route then takes you through Cernay for a smoother final stretch. It's time to give it your all on the big chainring! 🚴♂️ Managing your effort in the first hour will be key to keeping enough energy to finish sprinting towards Thann, where the finisher medal and the electrifying atmosphere of the finish zone await to celebrate your achievement 🏅.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
You can collect your bib in Thann, on Place Joffre:
On Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 9 am to 6 pm
On Sunday, July 20, 2025, from 5:50 am to 6:50 am at Place du Bungert, please note this time is only available with prior reservation during your online registration
The races will start on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at 7:50 am.
The meeting point will be at Place du Bungert in Thann, from 6:50 am to 7:30 am.
Yes, a medical certificate is mandatory. It must be dated less than a year from the date of the race or a nominative FFC certificate.
Yes, you must be at least 18 years old during the year of the event to participate.
Here are the bib prices:
For the GFNY Grand Ballon 2026 pack (Long or Medium Course):
€75 with an additional €6 fee.
For the GFNY Grand Ballon 2026 VIP* pack:
€275 with an additional €22 fee.
*Your additional benefits: 2 days of group rides on May 22 and 23. Welcome drink on May 22, special registration area, priority starting grid, and other surprises. (price incl. tax)
The course will close at 4:36 pm, giving you 8 hours and 40 minutes to complete the race.
Refreshments are planned at km 28 / 56 / 84 / 118.
Yes, here it is:
Official GFNY 2025 jersey (provided in your race pack)
Wearing a certified hard helmet
Bike in perfect working condition
Prohibited equipment:
Time trial bikes
Triathlon extensions
Electric bikes
Tandems
Fixed-gear bikes
Your registration includes:
Official jersey
Souvenir bag
Timing
Medical support
Medal
Podium
Meal at the finish
Yes, storage facilities and locker rooms will be provided by the organization.
The race guide, mandatory reading for all riders, is available here!
You can check the race rules here
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