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 with only six weeks left and five to nine hours a week, this rescue plan sharpens sustained Alpine climbing, high-mountain pacing, repeatable climbing power, descending confidence, and fatigue resistance around the fitness already in place without pretending to replace a full build.
INSIDE THE SAVE MY RACE PLAN — 5–9 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