Ultra Raid de la Meije


The 12th edition : on the 16th and 17th of September 2023


La Grave

 

16th to 17th September 2023

 

Association Ultra Raid de la Meije
www.ultraraidlameije.fr

 

L'ULTRA RAID DE LA MEIJE, Europe's most beautiful mountain bike race

Since 2011, the Ultra Raid de la Meije Mountain Bike Race has become a must for all mountain bike and adventure lovers. It is well-known for its high altitude landscapes and its automnal colours as it takes place every year in mid-September around La Grave La Meije. The main race is the demanding "Élite Ultra" with its 117km and 5300m of elevation gain but there are various options for all types of riders.

Organised by the Ultra Raid de la Meije Association.

 

The different races

There are several race options, all allowing you to explore the singletracks around La Grave La Meije and Villar d'Arène

3 timed races: Elite Ultra (117 km and 5300 m uphill, Elite Ultra + and Raid Ultra (Stage 1: 73 km and 3250 m uphill / Stage 2: 52 km and 2400 m uphill)

7 touring routes, without timing: easier options (31 or 36 km) as well as more challenging ones (46, 48, 50, 58 or 73 km). Open to E-mountainbikers.

 

ÉLITE ULTRA

Win the title of "Elite Ultra" finisher, the flagship route of the event. But before committing, please make sure you are in good enough shape as this option is truly difficult and demanding. If you have doubts that you will be able to make, sign up for the Elite Ultra + that gives you the opportunity to shorten your route on Saturday and still race on Sunday. You will then be ranked with the Raid Ultra.

SATURDAY

"Galibier Pass / Les Cerces Massif" + "Emparis / Besse"

Starting from : Villar d'Arène

Starting time : 5.56 am

Distance : 117km

Elevation gain : 5300m

More information here

The RAID ULTRA in 2 days

Set yourself a challenge by doing the Raid Ultra, two intense days in two different areas with a total of 125 km! The first three to cross the finish line will be on the podium.

                                                                                                                                                                            

 

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

"Galibier Pass / Les Cerces Massif"

"Emparis / Besse"

Starting point: Villar d'Arène

Starting time: 6.04 am

Distance: 73km

Elevation gain : 3250m

Starting point: La Grave

Starting time: 6.04 am

Distance: 52km

Elevation gain: 2400m

 

ÉLITE ULTRA +

Go for Elite Ultra challenge, whilst leaving yourself the opportunity to shorten your route. Your first goal should be to finish the long-distance race, but it will also be possible to take a turn at Ventelon (72km) to allow you to carry on the next day for another 52km in order to be ranked in the 2 days Raid Ultra category.                                                                                                                                                                       

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

"Galibier Pass / Les Cerces massif" + "Emparis / Besse"

Starting point: Villar d'Arène

Starting time: 6 am

Distance: 117km

Elevation gain: 5300m

More information here

Choose your tour

With this option you decide what your weekend will look like. You can sign up for 2 days with 2 different routes but if you just want to do one day you can sign up for only Saturday or Sunday.


Please note: E-MTB are allowed but will be ranked in a separate category.

 

SATURDAY

3 route options

Galibier-Cerces Tour 73km

Start : Villar d'Arène at 6.10am

Distance : 73km

Elevation gain: 3250m

Galibier-Cerces Tour 58km

Start : Galibier Pass at 9am

Distance : 58km

Elevation gain: 2050m

Galibier-Cerces Tour 48km

Start : Plan Lachat at 9.30am

Distance : 48km

Elevation gain: 1800m

 

SUNDAY

4 route options

Tour of Emparis 50km

Start : La Grave at 8am

Distance : 50km

Elevation  gain: 2400m

Tour of Emparis 46km

Start : La Grave at 8.30am

Distance : 46km

Elevation gain: 1850m

Tour of Emparis 36km

Start : Chazelet at 8.00am

Distance : 36km

Elevation gain: 1700m

Tour of Emparis 31km

Start : Chazelet at 8.30am

Distance : 31km

Elevation  gain: 1100m

Pricelist 2023

  Prices from 01/03 to 31/03 Prices from 01/04 to 30/04   Prices from 01/05 to 30/06 Prices from 1/07 to 31/07  
Elite Ultra   59€ 69€   75€ 89€  
Elite Ultra + 79€ 85€   95€ 109€  
Raid Ultra 2 days 75€ 80€   90€ 105€  
Raid Ultra 73 km  53€ 57€   64€ 69€  
Elite Ultra 52 km  38€ 41€   46€ 49€  
Choose your tour 2 days  73€ 78€   88€ 100€  
Choose your tour (Sat.)  50€ 52€   56€ 64€  
Choose your tour (Sun.)     35€   37€   39.50€ 44€  

 

* Optional shuttle bus to the Galibier Pass (18 € in the morning with your mountain bike, 10 € in the evening without your mountain bike). Limited number of seats available.

Programme

Friday 15 September:

  • 2pm to 7pm: You can retrieve your number plate for the Saturday and for the 2-day tour in the URLM-space in La Grave.
  • 3pm: The refreshment stall opens
  • 5pm to 7.30pm: The repair stalls open
  • 7 pm: Racers' briefing - mandatory!
  • 7.30pm: Racers' meal under the tent (not included in the price)

Saturday16 September:

  • 5am : coffee stall at the starting point
  • 5.30am : you have to enter the starting line
  • 5.56am : Elite Ultra starts from Villar d'Arène
  • 6am : Elite + starts from Villar d'Arène
  • 6.04am : Raid Ultra starts from Villar d'Arène
  • 6:08am : Rando Raid and Rando Cerces start from Villar d'Arène
  • 6.12am : Time barrier n°0 – Starting line
  • 6.45am : 1° shuttle bus. Load your bike in front of the Hôtel Les Agneaux in Villar d'Arène for the Galibier / Les Cerces tour. Départure 7.15am
  • 8.10am : 2° shuttle bus. Load your bike in front of the Hôtel Les Agneaux in Villar d'Arène for the Galibier / Les Cerces tour. Départure 8.30am
  • 7.30 to 9am : Repair stall at the Galibier Pass
  • 8.30 to 09am : Tour departure at the Galibier Pass, you have to activate your chip first
  • 8.30 to 9.15am : Tour departure at the Plan Lachat, you have to activate your chip first at the Galibier Pass
  • 9.30am : Time barrier n°1 Col du Galibier
  • 10am to 3pm : atelier mécanique (petites réparations) au col du Lautaret
  • 11am : Time barrier n°2 Plan Lachat
  • 11.30am : First arrivals Rando Raid Ultra
  • 12.30pm : The refreshment stall opens
  • 1.30 to 7.30pm : Meal
  • 2:40pm : First arrivals Elite
  • 2.15pm : Time barrier n°4 Ventelon. (Elite)
  • 3.10pm: Time barrier n°5 Refuge du Pic du Mas de La Grave (Elite)
  • 3.15 to 7.30pm : Massages, osteopath (book in advance)
  • 4 to 7pm: Repair stall La Grave
  • 4 to 7.30pm: Free shuttle from La Grave to Villar d'Arène (without bikes)
  • 4.05pm : Time barrier n°6 Chalet Josserand. (Elite)
  • 5pm: Time barrier n°3 Pied du Col (Raid-Rando)
  • 5.50pm: Time barrier horaire n°7 Col du Souchet.
  • 6pm: Shuttle from La Grave to Galibier Pass without bikes (book in advance)
  • 7pm: Podium Finisher Elite Ultra 117km. You have to be there to get the finisher souvenir
  • 7pm:The finishing lline control closes
  • 7.15pm: 2° and last shuttle from La Grave to the Galibier Pass without bikes (book in advance)
  • 7.30pm: Racers' meal under the tent (not included in the price)

Sunday 17 September:

  • 6.30 to 7am: You can retrieve your number plate for the Emparis and Raid Emparis tours
  • 7.15 à 8am : Repair stall at the salle des fêtes de La Grave
  • 7.30am : You have to enter the starting line
  • 7.50am : Racers' briefing at the starting line in La Grave
  • 8am : Departure Raid Ultra
  • 8.04am : Departure Rando Ultra
  • 8.10am : Time barrier n°0 La Grave
  • 8:30 to 08.45am : Departure from Chazelet : you have to activate your chip first
  • 11.45am: Time barrier n°1 Chalet Josserand
  • 11.55am: First arrivals
  • 12pm : The refreshment stall opens
  • 12.30 to 3.30pm : Meal
  • 12:30 to 3.30pm : Massages, osteopath (book in advance)
  • 2.30pm :Time barrier  n°2 Col du Souchet
  • 3 to 5pm : Free shuttle from La Grave to Chazelet (without bikes)
  • 3.30pm : Podium, mandatory presence
  • 4.30pm : The finishing lline control closes