Following the damage caused by storm Alex in the Vésubie valley, particularly on the road network, we decided this winter, due to a lack of visibility, to work on an alternative route for the 1st edition. This alternative route that we had already presented, with a departure from the village of Guillaumes and an arrival in Valberg, did not use the roads of the Vésubie valley, contrary to the initial route project.
Thanks to the mobilization of the Alpes-Maritimes Department and all the local actors, animated by the will to bring back a normal life in the valleys, the return of the Mercan'Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes on its initial route is again possible. Villages such as Roquebillière and Saint-Martin-Vésubie, which were badly hit by storm Alex, will be able to enjoy a friendly moment with the peloton passing through. We absolutely wanted to come back as soon as possible in this valley which is dear to us and this passage will have a symbolic value, reminding us that after the terrible events of this autumn, life is getting back to normal thanks to the mobilization, the courage and the solidarity of all.
This remodelled course will therefore offer 173km for 3950m of ascent with a beautiful Colmiane-Couillole-Valberg triptych in its last 90km.