Question 1

Which package is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Alps Ride & Recon Camp (15–20 Aug): best for racers wanting a course preview (recon) before race week, and for anyone who wants to ride the beautiful roads of the Alps. Based in La Clusaz.Gran Fondo Essentials (20–25 Aug): best for racers wanting a base right in the La Clusaz finish village, with full race-week support. Our biggest team.Gran Fondo Premium (19–25 Aug): best for race week with lakeside comfort: a boutique hotel on Lake Annecy, gourmet dining and the same race support.Super Worlds Elite Experience (25–30 Aug): best for riding the Elite course and watching the Elite Downhill and Men's Road Race live, with a boutique hotel and gourmet dining.Each package page has the full itinerary, inclusions and prices.

Question 2

What does it cost, and how do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Rider packages start from AUD 2,880 and supporter packages from AUD 2,080 per person, twin/double share. A 30% deposit is due on confirmation and the balance 60 days before travel. Full terms, including cancellation and change fees, are provided at booking, along with the Participant Release.

Question 3

When and where are the 2027 Gran Fondo World Championships?

Accepted Answer

They're part of the UCI Cycling World Championships (the "Super Worlds") across Haute-Savoie, France, from 24 August to 5 September 2027. The Gran Fondo and Time Trial are raced around Thônes and La Clusaz, with the Time Trial on 22 August and the Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo (the shorter distance) road races on 24 August. The Elite Downhill MTB World Championships follow at Les Gets on 28 August, and the Elite Men's Road Race at Sallanches–Domancy on 29 August.

Question 4

Do I need to qualify?

Accepted Answer

To race, yes: finish in the top 25% of your age group at a UCI Gran Fondo World Series event. Qualifying events run worldwide until May 2027, including the Tour de Brisbane on 4 April. Race entry is booked through the event, not included in our packages.For futher details, please click here

Question 5

Do I need to be racing to join?

Accepted Answer

No. Every package is open to any rider, racing or not, and to non-riders. If you haven't qualified, you still join the group rides, course previews and race-week atmosphere; you just don't line up in the race itself.If you simply want to ride the Alps, try the Alps Ride & Recon Camp: five supported rides mixing race-route previews with the most beautiful roads around La Clusaz, the Aravis and Lake Annecy.If you want to ride and watch the world's best, try the Super Worlds Elite Experience: five supported rides on the Elite Road Race circuit, the Côte de Domancy and roads towards Chamonix and Switzerland, plus live viewing of the Elite Downhill and Elite Men's Road Race, a boutique hotel and gourmet dining.

Question 6

I'm not racing. Which package suits me?

Accepted Answer

If you simply want to ride the Alps, the Alps Ride & Recon Camp: five supported rides on some of the best roads and climbs around La Clusaz, the Aravis and Lake Annecy. The rides mix race-route recon with simply riding the region's most beautiful roads, so it works just as well whether you're racing or not.If you want to ride and watch the world's best, the Super Worlds Elite Experience: five supported rides on the Elite Road Race circuit, the Côte de Domancy and roads towards Chamonix and Switzerland, plus live viewing of the Elite Downhill and Elite Men's Road Race, a boutique hotel and gourmet dining.

Question 7

Can my partner, family or friends come if they don't ride?

Question 8

Can international guests join?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Riders and supporters of every nationality are welcome on every package. Prices are in AUD, with approximate EUR and USD shown on each package page (payments are made in AUD, and any bank or conversion fees are yours), and we meet you in France, at Annecy, Geneva or Cluses, so you can fly in from anywhere.

Question 9

Can I combine packages?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and you save: AUD 300 per person for two packages, or AUD 450 for three. The discount applies once per person to the combined booking. Combining the Ride Camp with Premium saves a further AUD 250 per person, as Premium starts on the afternoon of 19 August.

Question 10

Do I need travel insurance, and what else do I sign?

Question 11

Can I have my own room, or share with friends?

Accepted Answer

Prices are per person, sharing a room with one other guest (twin or double). Single rooms are available for a supplement, shown on each package page. If you're travelling with friends or family, limited triple and quad rooms may also be available on request.

Question 12

Can I add extra nights or travel before or after?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can add nights before or after any package, on request. As a licensed travel agency, we can also plan custom travel in France and Europe around your trip.

Question 13

How do I get there?

Accepted Answer

For the Ride Camp, Essentials and Premium, we meet you at Annecy Train Station (pick-ups from 12pm). For the Elite Experience, we meet you at Geneva Airport or Cluses Train Station. Transfers between our packages are included too.Return transfers to pick up points are also provided on the last morning of the tour.Transfers are also provided between hotels for guests doing more than one tour.

Question 14

Can you arrange transfers outside the included ones?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can arrange private transfers at other times or from other places, such as Geneva Airport, Lyon or your pre-tour hotel, in vehicles sized for bikes and luggage. Pricing and availability is on request.Please note that demand will be high during this period, so it is recommend to book these as early as you can.

Question 15

Can I travel by train in France with my bike?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it's a good way to arrive. Direct TGV trains run from Paris Gare de Lyon to Annecy in around 3 hours 45 minutes, and regional TER trains link Annecy with Lyon, Chambéry, Grenoble and Geneva.Bikes on board: on TGV INOUI, TER and Intercités trains, a bike that's dismantled and packed in a bike bag (max 120 × 90 cm) travels free as luggage, with no reservation. OUIGO trains charge a €5 luggage option for it. An assembled bike can only go on trains with dedicated bike spaces, booked with your ticket.Luggage tips: luggage space on TGVs is limited. SNCF caps what each passenger can bring, and with a bike bag that's little more than one extra bag and a small hand item. Racks fill quickly in summer, so travel light if you can and get to the platform early. You may also need to store your bike in a walkway or door area. Best to keep an eye on your bike and ensure that it is not a hindrance, particularly at stops.

Question 16

What is there to do between rides and races?

Question 17

Can I get around without a car?

Accepted Answer

Yes. From La Clusaz, the regional Y62/Y63 bus runs daily to Thônes and on to Annecy's bus station, beside the train station (about 40 minutes from Thônes to Annecy); tickets are sold at altibus.com or on board. From Talloires, Sibra's line 20 runs along the lake's eastern shore to Annecy station in around 35–40 minutes, roughly hourly. The 272 bus links Geneva Airport with Annecy. Check with the operator before travelling with a bike.

Question 18

Are taxis available?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in Annecy, Talloires, Thônes and La Clusaz, but numbers are limited in the mountains and demand will be high during the Championships. Book ahead, and ask for a larger vehicle if you're carrying a bike box. We can book taxis and private transfers for you.

Question 19

What are the group rides like?

Accepted Answer

We encourage guests to ride at their own pace. Depending on the size of the group, we may split into two or more ride groups. On climbs and descents everyone spreads out and rides their own speed, then on flatter and rolling roads riders come together in smaller or larger groups depending on the road. We regroup at set points, such as the top of each climb, and add a coffee stop where it suits.Every ride is supported by our ride hosts and a support vehicle driven by our mechanic. It carries tools and spare parts, ride snacks and water, and has room for some of your own gear, such as a jacket or spare layers. You'll get route files for your bike computer (GPX) before each ride, all rides are optional, and you can shorten any ride in the support vehicle.The Super Worlds Elite Experience runs a more relaxed riding program, as it comes after the racing, and suits a wider range of riders.

Question 20

Should I bring my bike or rent one?

Accepted Answer

Either works. Racers usually bring the bike they've trained on, and should pack spares such as a hanger, chain, tyres and tubes. For everyone else, we recommend renting through Gippo Bike, our partner for over 10 years.Bikes will be delivered and collected from your tour hotel. For further details and pricing, please contact us.

Question 21

Is there mechanic support?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A dedicated mechanic travels with every package, helping with bike set-up, tuning and repairs at the hotel and providing mechanical support out on the group rides. On Gran Fondo race day, Essentials and Premium guests also get start-zone mechanic support and an extra feed station on course.Guests bringing their own bike are recommended to bring their own spares such as hangers, chains, cables, tyres, tubes, bar tape, lube, hydraulic fluid and the like as the mechanic is not able to carry the breadth of parts required for all different bike types and bike shops in the area are quite limited.

Question 22

What meals are included?

Accepted Answer

Breakfast every day on every package, plus:Alps Ride & Recon Camp: a 3-course dinner each night.Gran Fondo Essentials: dinner each night, including a race-prep dinner and a celebration dinner.Gran Fondo Premium: five gourmet dinners and a lunch.Super Worlds Elite Experience: a gourmet 3-course dinner each night and a lunch.For Essentials and Premium, the hotels prepare a special pre-race dinner and offer early breakfast on race days.

Question 23

Can you cater for dietary requirements?

Accepted Answer

Most dietary requirements can be met. Please let us know yours when you book, so we can confirm with the hotels where needed.

Question 24

I have mobility needs. Will the hotels suit me?

Accepted Answer

Please talk to us before booking, so we can check each hotel for you. Hotel La Montagne (Ride Camp and Essentials) has stairs to the entrance and rooms, so it may not suit guests with reduced mobility.

Question 25

Can I store my bike at the hotel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our hotels have bike storage rooms. Bikes are stored at your own risk, so please make sure you have appropriate travel insurance that covers your bike.

Question 26

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2027 UCI Gran Fondo & Super Worlds Tours — French Alps