Villars and the Alpes Vaudoises

UCI GRAN FONDO SWITZERLAND

The UCI Gran Fondo Switzerland: A magnificent course starting in Villars-sur-Ollon that passes over the Col de la Croix (1,778m), Col du Pillon (1,546m) and Col des Mosses (1,445m) and ends with a second ascent of the Col de la Croix (arrival at the summit). With 108km km and 2,591 meters of climbing over 4 climbs, the UCI Gran Fondo Switzerland offers an ideal challenge for an early summer cycling event.

The event is the only Swiss qualifier for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series. Athletes in the first 20% of their age group will qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Vancouver, Canada in 2020.

From June 26^th to 28^th, discover the Alpes Vaudoises, a cycling paradise that is home of the headquarters of the UCI and regularly hosts the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse:

Friday June 26th: Participate in the Ollon-Villars time trial and test yourself against the pros who conquered this climb during the 2018 Tour de Romandie. The best time: 25m10s by Egan Bernal, winner of the 2019 Tour de France!
Saturday June 27th: Collect your bib at the UCI headquarters in Aigle and enjoy the festivities organized by the World Cycling Centre.
Sunday June 28th: Participate in the UCI Gran Fondo Switzerland and tackle the Alpes Vaudoises passes starting in Villars-sur-Ollon.

UCI GRAN FONDO WORLD SERIES

The UCI Gran Fondo World Series (UGFWS) is a serie of UCI-approved races held all over the world. The top 20% in each age group (category) of a qualifying race will automatically qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, where the champions are awarded with the coveted rainbow jersey.

The serie aims to promote high level competition for amateur riders around the world.

All races on the UGFWS calendar must meet strict criteria, both in terms of organization and sport; they must also have a tourism interest.

The UCI Gran Fondo World Series concept is aimed:

at very competitive riders who are just below the professional level or who still want to ride at a very high level in older age
but also at cyclists who are not there for the competition but rather for their capability and whose sole purpose is to finish the event.

Villars and the Alpes Vaudoises

Villars is located in the heart of the Alpes Vaudoises, at an altitude of 1,300 meters, on a south-facing natural terrace. For over 150 years, the resort has offered a wide range of sports and leisure activities to families and visitors of all ages, away from the urban hustle and bustle. All the pleasures of a holiday are there to enjoy in an idyllic setting, with spectacular views stretching from Lake Geneva to Mont Blanc. The urban center of Geneva and Montreux are within easy reach at 120 kilometers and 30 kilometers respectively.

Villars has managed to retain its village feel despite significant tourism development due to a construction policy dedicated to maintaining architectural uniformity. Old ancestral chalets sit alongside new wood and stone constructions, with the aim of retaining a harmony that blends perfectly with the natural setting. The presence of many protected areas also helps preserving the natural environment, so visitors can enjoy a typical mountain ambiance, ideal for getting away from it all and relaxing, along with stunning views. Villars has an 18-hole golf course at 1,600 m, in a unique and beautiful setting, popular with professionals and amateurs alike.

The mountains are ideal for recharging your batteries. The Bains de Villars wellness center offers a haven of peace dedicated to physical and mental well-being in a brand new complex. Taking your time, relaxing, escaping from everyday life for a while, surrounded by panoramic alpine views, is the recipe for a great stay in Villars.

Villars has a long tradition of cycling. The resort has organized many stage arrivals of the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse. It has also hosted several cyclosportives criss-crossing the roads of the region. Villars offers its visitors numerous routes for road, mountain and electric bikes.