Pricing:Price per rider: AUD 3,340 (approx EUR 2,060 / USD 2,320)Price per supporter: AUD 2,790 (approx EUR 1,720 / USD 1,935)Limited to 46 guests​​​Stay for More, Save MorePlanning to join us for more than one program? Save when you combine programs:Book 2 programs: save AUD 300 per personBook 3 programs: save AUD 450 per personThe discount is applied once per person to the combined booking when booking two or more 2027 World Championships packages.Inclusions:5 nights’ double/twin-share accommodation at Hotel La Montagne, La ClusazDaily breakfast and 3-course dinnerReturn transfers between Annecy Train Station and La ClusazRider & Supporter Event packsRiders: 4 supported group rides, with GPX files, ride snacksRiders: Dedicated mechanic and support crew throughout the tourRiders: Additional feed station on course of Gran and Medio FondosSupporters: Lake Annecy cruise and Annecy visitSupporters: Alpine gondola ride and local farm visitOptional extras:Single share supplement: AUD 1,080Pre- and post-tour accommodation: Pricing & availability on requestBike rental: Pricing on requestTransfers outside scheduled group timings or locations: Pricing on request​Deposit: 30% of total cost due on confirmationBalance due: 60 days prior to travelExcluded:Race entry is not included. For details on qualification and registration, please click hereAquatic Centre entry (8-15 EUR per entry)All packages and tours are subject to availability at time of booking. Rates are subject to change until bookings are confirmed and deposits received. Full terms and conditions are provided at time of booking, including payment schedule, cancellation & change fees, and general terms of service.​ Guests are required to complete a participation waiver which will be provided at time of booking.

Hotel La Montagne has been selected for its classic Alpine character and exceptional location. Situated beside the main roundabout in the centre of the finish village for the Time Trial and Gran Fondo courses, the hotel offers excellent access to the World Championships, with just a 12km descent to the race start village in Thônes.​The hotel features comfortable, generously sized rooms, along with a restaurant and relaxed bar area with a pool table — an ideal place to unwind and spend time with team mates and friends after a day in the Alps.​Just a short walk from the hotel is the village’s excellent aquatic centre, featuring a sauna, hammam, gym and water slides. The local supermarket and a selection of restaurants and cafés are also within easy walking distance, making it easy to pick up supplies or enjoy some time away from the team program.

Group arrival:Guests will be met at Annecy Train Station (Pick-ups available from 12pm) and transferred to our race base in the finish village of La ClusazRiders:Our mechanic team will be on hand for bike assembly, set-up and post-flight troubleshootingAn optional warm-up ride (25km & 250m+) will take place at 4:00pmEvening:Welcome Dinner at the hotel — meet your fellow team members & support crew and preview the week ahead

Riders:Morning group ride incorporating the Col de la Colombiere, the final & biggest climb of the FondosThe focus is on understanding the key sectors of the climb and taking it steady, rather than accumulating training loadITT Competitors:Afternoon race registration and optional bike checkSupporters:Visit to Annecy, including a 1-hour boat cruise on Lake Annecy followed by free time for lunch and to explore the the stunning city — often described as the “Venice of the Alps”All guests:Afternoon at leisure to relax, recover, or spend some time at the Aquatic Centre or exploring the villageEvening:Group dinner at the hotel

Riders:A lighter day with further targeted course familiarisation, short controlled efforts and plenty of easy ridingThe opportunity to cheer on those competing in the ITT raceITT Competitors:Race day on the uphill Time Trial course from Thônes to La ClusazEasy roll down from the hotel to the start area provides a natural warm-upMechanic support available at the start for last-minute adjustments and troubleshootingSupporters:Day at leisure, with opportunities to cheer on the Time Trial competitors and explore La Clusaz and the surrounding regionEvening:Group dinner at the hotel - celebrating our TT competitors

Riders:Easy morning coffee ride to Annecy — approximately 35km primarily downhill — with vehicle transfer back to La Clusaz, or the option to return by bikeCollect race packs from the event village - location and timing to be confirmed once event arrangements are finalised, with transport provided where requiredAfternoon free for recovery, bike preparation, nutrition planning and relaxation ahead of race daySupporters:Morning visit to the Beauregard Plateau, travelling by gondola from La ClusazEnjoy the alpine scenery and a relaxed walk on the plateauVisit an Alpine farm and discover and taste the region’s traditional ReblochonReturn to La Clusaz for a free afternoon ahead of race dayEvening:Pre-race dinner featuring a race-ready menuEarly night and final preparations for race day

Riders:Roll 12km down to the start line ahead of Medio & Gran Fondo race startMechanic support available at the start area to assist with any last-minute adjustmentsHigher Ground feed zone on course (subject to race route/access) — access your own bottles/nutrition, plus our additional team suppliesSupporters:Cheer on the team from the finish in La Clusaz and experience the incredible atmosphere of the UCI Gran Fondo World ChampionshipsEvening:Celebration dinner to cap an incredible week in the French Alps

All guests:The tour program concludes following breakfastA 9:30am departure will transfer guests to Annecy Train StationGuests continuing on to the UCI Super Worlds Elite Race Experience will be transferred to our new hotel in the morning

In 2027, the French Alps will become the centre of the cycling world.The UCI Cycling World Championships bring an extraordinary range of cycling disciplines together across Haute-Savoie from 24 August to 5 September. More than 15,000 athletes are expected to compete for 288 World Championship titles across 20 disciplines — from Road, Gran Fondo and Mountain Bike to Gravel, BMX, Track, Trials, Para-Cycling, E-sports and Indoor Cycling.It is far more than a single World Championship. For almost two weeks, the entire region becomes one huge celebration of cycling, with world-class competition taking place against some of the most spectacular scenery in the French Alps.Road, Gran Fondo — and everything in betweenFor road cyclists, the opportunity is particularly special. Amateur riders can compete for their own World Championship in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, taking on the spectacular roads and climbs around Thônes and La Clusaz.Then the world's best professionals arrive, with the UCI Road World Championships centred around Sallanches and the legendary Côte de Domancy — the same climb where Bernard Hinault won the 1980 World Championship.But the Super Worlds extends well beyond road cycling.Mountain bike racing takes centre stage at Les Gets, including Cross-country, Enduro and, most spectacularly, Downhill. Gravel heads to Châtel and the Portes du Soleil, while BMX, Trials, Pump Track and other disciplines bring their own unique style and atmosphere to venues throughout the region.Don't miss the DownhillFor cycling fans, the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Championships at Les Gets are likely to be one of the most spectacular events of the entire Super Worlds.Elite Downhill World Championship racing is scheduled for 27 August 2027, with the junior championships taking place the day before.Downhill is cycling at its most raw and spectacular. Riders hurtle down the mountain at extraordinary speeds, navigating steep gradients, jumps, technical sections and changing terrain, with the smallest mistake capable of deciding a World Championship.And unlike a road race that can disappear down the road in seconds, a mountain bike course creates an incredible atmosphere for spectators. You can get close to the action, hear the crowd, see the riders attacking the course and experience the intensity of a World Championship unfolding right in front of you.It is a completely different side of cycling — and that's what makes the Super Worlds so compelling.You can spend one day riding the legendary Alpine roads yourself, the next watching the world's best road cyclists fight for the rainbow jersey, and then experience the speed and adrenaline of Downhill at Les Gets.This is not simply a cycling holiday built around a race.It is an opportunity to experience cycling in all its forms, in one of the world's great cycling regions, while the world's biggest cycling event is taking place around you.

Higher Ground have a dedicated team of guides & mechanics based in Europe year-round that help design our programs and host our guests. Their local knowledge and love of what they do ensure that all our guests have a truly memorable experience and are immersed in great rides, incredible scenery and the local culture.The tour is managed by Will Maley from HGTE, Will has been running tours to the biggest cycling events in the world since 2010 and also spent three years managing the contracting, accommodation, flights, and on-ground experiences for all the men's and women's WorldTour teams competing at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

The Gran Fondo Essentials Experience is designed to suit intermediate and advanced riders, with the option for lighter and longer days through the program.Group rides are supported by our experienced ride hosts and support/mechanic vehicle. Rides are carried out at a comfortable pace to suit the group and will require some re-grouping stops along the way. Typically the group will spread out on the climbs and descents to let people ride at a pace that is comfortable for them, and then ride together or in smaller groups on flat and rolling roads. Guests receive ride GPX files as part of our pre-departure pack along with further details on the specific tour ride program. Each evening we'll also provide you with an overview of the day's riding to follow.During the rides our support vehicles are there to carry extra gear, provide mechanical assistance, give weary legs a break, and also set up our coffee stops and provide rides snacks and drinks along the way.Group rides and supporter activities will primarily take place in the morning, allowing free time for recovery & rest, enjoying the aquatic centre and exploring La Clusaz and the surrounding region during the afternoon.​Training and fitness building should be largely completed before arriving in the Alps. During race week, our focus is on getting you to the start line feeling fresh, confident and prepared — with targeted course familiarisation, focused riding and plenty of time for recovery. Distances and elevation will therefore be deliberately conservative given the proximity to race day. If you are unsure about the suitability of the rides to you, please give us a call or email and we'll be happy to discuss the program with you further.All ride programs are subject to change as we will refine the program based on the weather and road conditions as well as at times make some adjustments to suit the needs and ride pace of the group.

In 2027, we will not include a full course driving tour.​ With the condensed timeframe between the Time Trial and Road Races, our program is designed to prioritise freshness and targeted course familiarisation rather than taking the group on what would likely be a 5+ hour drive.​Instead, selected sections of the course — particularly areas closer to the start and finish and key climbs and descents — will be incorporated into our group rides where practical. Further course recon is also available through the Pre-Gran Fondo Alpine Retreat program and during our evening team dinners where we'll further discuss the route.​A private driver and vehicle hire are available should you wish to add a dedicated course drive to your experience.

Bringing your own bike:Our mechanic team is there to assist with bike set-up and on-site mechanical support for assembly, tuning, troubleshooting and base level repairs and maintenance. More complex repairs are subject to time available and the availability of parts (cost additional). Guests 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.Bike rental:We have been working with Gippo Bike in Tuscany for over 10 years and their team provide both mechanical services and rental bikes for our tour programs. Gippo Bike offer a range of high quality rental bike options. Please contact us for further information. BYO bike versus Rental:Our recommendation is typically to get a rental bike as the hassle of lugging a bike around airports & train stations, the risk of damage, and often the extra baggage costs make the ease of the Gippo team turning up with a quality bike to suit very appealing and cost effective. We appreciate that for those competing at the Gran Fondo Worlds, having your own bike that you have trained on and are comfortable with will likely outweigh the hassles and is likely the best choice for you. Please do ensure that you have plenty of spares to suit though as sourcing parts can take time and the last thing you want is to miss out on an epic ride over a snapped hanger.Whichever you choose, we are happy to accommodate your preference and will support you with either.

Arrival TransfersTransfers will be provided from Annecy Train Station (pick-ups available from 12pm)Departure TransfersA group transfer is available from the hotel at 9:30am to Annecy Train Station (for trains departing from 11am) Guests transferring to the Super Worlds Elite Race Experience will be transferred to the tour hotel in late morningTransfers outside of the scheduled times and locations are available. Please contact us for options and pricing.

An awesome experience on a cycling tour for the 2026 Gran Fondo World Championships in Niseko, Japan. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Will and the team were great. Highly recommend.— Jason SmithEverything was so well organised from start to finish, which made the whole experience easy and stress-free. Will was always helpful, responsive and went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly.”— Debbie Taylor“From months out the communication was on point… In Niseko, we had great accommodation, mechanics that went above and beyond, shuttle buses, course recons, team dinners, and once again — great communication. I always felt informed, prepared, and if there was an issue with anything, they sorted it out promptly.”— Michael TurnbullThis was the smoothest tour I've experienced. Everything worked and it all appeared to work flawlessly. You have built yourself something that will be hard to better— Col Howkins (Gold Medal Winner - ITT, Niseko Japan)“Having the support takes the stress away knowing you are being kept informed of everything that is going on. A huge thank you to Will and the team for everything you did to make it a seamless experience.”— Glenda Signorini (2x Silver Medal Winner - ITT & Road, Niseko Japan)A really excellent experience on our trip to Siena - calm competent professionalism and flexibility from all staff - Will especially - careful planning, superb support in terms of cycles, support vehicles, and mechanical assistance meant everyone could relax and enjoy the cycling, culture and fantastic food. Top marks from us.— Andrew FritchiePlease find further reviews here