UPDATE: the revised route for La Marmotte 1015 has now been announced - read the story.
An unforeseen tunnel closure near the Col du Lautaret means that the 2015 edition of La Marmotte will feature a changed route.
Cracks were discovered in April in the Chambon tunnel on the D1091, the road that leads from Bourg d'Oisans to Briancon via the Col du Lautaret. Remedial work is underway and the tunnel was originally set to reopen in June. However, the 60m crack was bigger than initially feared and heavy rains have contributed to delaying the repair work. Officials now state that the tunnel will remain closed until 10 July at the earliest.
The setback means that Marmotte organisers now have to find a revised route for 7000 cyclists on Saturday 4 July. A statement on the Marmotte website reads:
Following the ongoing work in the Chambon Tunnel, the Col du Lautaret is currently inaccessible and likely to be closed to traffic until mid July.
As a result, La Marmotte will take a modified route that includes, as ever, the beautiful cols de l'Oisans and de la Maurienne as well as the legendary hairpins of l'Alpe d'Huez.
A little patience and we will announce details of the amended route. Fans will not be disappointed.
Details of the route changes will be published here as soon as they are announced.
The Marmotte is one of Europe's most famous sportives, with a 174km route that features almost 5000m of climbing. The revised route is likely to retain the Marmotte's main signature climbs which include the Col du Glandon (1918m), Col du Télégraphe (1570m), Col du Galibier (2642m) and the Col du Lautaret (2,057m), before finishing with a climb of Alpe d'Huez.
For our preview of the traditional Marmotte route and reports on previous years, check out the links below.
Training for La Marmotte - pre-race tips from Sportive publisher Joe Saumarez Smith
La Marmotte 2014 report - Joe Saumarez Smith
My first Marmotte - Dan McCausland
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