Galibier starts above 2,000 meters only after three earlier climbs have spent the easy effort
Two formats out of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne: the main 110 km cyclosportive (~3,350m) taking in Montée d'Orelle, Col de Beau Plan, Col du Télégraphe, and Col du Galibier, and a separate 35 km 'La Grimpée' timed ascent (~2,100m) linking just Télégraphe and Galibier from Saint-Michel. On the main route, timing and classification stop at the Galibier summit or tunnel — the descent back to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne is untimed, free-pace riding, not part of the race result. Col du Galibier — 18 km from Valloire, 1,239m of gain to the 2,642m summit, the finale of both the full cyclosportive and the standalone Grimpée.
For the rider chasing a competitive result on nine to thirteen hours a week, this twelve-week plan develops sustained Alpine climbing, high-mountain pacing, repeatable climbing power, descending confidence, and fatigue resistance so the decisive moves at the 18-kilometer Galibier ascent after Orelle, Beau Plan, and Télégraphe are still available.
INSIDE THE COMPETE PLAN — 9–13 HR/WK
Includes zone-tailored structured rides for your devices, built-in strength with video walkthroughs, heat protocols for when your race calls for them, peloton skills workouts, and nutrition and hydration guidance.
The Complete Galibier Challenge Guide — the training, the tactics, the gear and race day, explained simply and clearly: what to do, when to do it, and why it works.
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Hey, I'm Matti. I spent 11 years at TrainingPeaks, where they trusted me to teach coaches how to coach at TrainingPeaks University. I raced Amateur Elite with Rio Grande Cycling Team and podiumed my age group at Unbound 200 in 2026. I have a degree in biology and exercise physiology from St. Olaf. I'm also a middle-aged dad of three, so I know training doesn't happen in a vacuum. I help gravel riders get stupidly fast without becoming the person who brings a food scale to a party