LA FUGA
2015 TOURS
WINTER/SPRING p.10 SUMMER p.28 AUTUMN p.46
EDITORIAL Planning your year of cycling is always such an exciting time. Whether it’s your first time riding Europe’s best roads and toughest events or if you’re a seasoned pro, the planning stage is full of optimism and dreams of sun filled climbs in perfect corners of France, Italy & beyond. Just as the pros start to identify their main events for 2015 and target their training accordingly, I hope we can help you do the same. We love talking about cycling so if you have any questions, call, mail or reach us on the live chat on our website – www.lafuga.cc Our 2015 starts with a new trip to Gran Canaria and moves quickly to Mallorca to get some early sun filled miles. For those short on time, we run a weekend in March based in Cannes. Our European service course was in this area and we know all the best routes including some incredible climbs and beautiful villages in the hills nearby. Spring has some of our most fun tours. The classics of Flanders and Paris Roubaix combine tough sportives on the cobbles and all the passion of the local fans at the pro race. The atmosphere at these events is unbeatable. For Italian passion, join the 12,000 locals at Nove Colli in the beautiful Emilia Romagna region. Summer is all about the mountains and the major rides that shape our year. We love running the place to place, multi day rides we’ve termed “Raids” and this year have a tour across the Alps and another across the Dolomites. Three events lead the way in size and difficulty and all occur in July – the Etape, La Marmotte and the Maratona in the stunning Dolomites. As with all our tours, our guides have a wealth of experience and prepare you with relevant warm up rides, mechanical support and race briefings. You will also find us along the route in our exclusive feed stations. For those wanting more, the Haute Route is quickly becoming THE event with closed road sections, great routes & a pro like experience. We run fully supported Haute Route tours with soigneurs, mechanics, quick transfers and great hotels so you can ride the event with the support normally reserved for professional teams. My favourite time of year for riding is Autumn. There are some great wind down events full of great food, stunning routes and a brilliant atmosphere where riders share stories from their year. Check out Gran Fondo Prosecco and our Tuscan Raid, perfect season ending rides. We love talking about cycling and helping you plan your year so get in touch and set your 2015 cycling objectives. I look forward to seeing you on the road,
Ian Holt
ABOUT LA FUGA
La Fuga is the leading tour company for truly memorable European cycling escapes. We are the go-to choice for customers around the world who want to combine dream rides; professional support; a relaxing holiday atmosphere; luxury accommodation; and like-minded people with whom to share the experience of a lifetime. Set up by passionate ex-elite racers in 2008, our trips are designed to achieve the right balance of endurance, challenge and exhilaration. Our expertise in the pro-racing scene means we take you down the road less travelled, giving you a privileged insight into the most stunning and exclusive routes in Europe. We break our tours into five types: SPORTIVE Your host for Europe’s top Sportives, our packages feature pro support, morning briefs, race assistance, exclusive feed stops, finish line welcomes with a comfy seat, comfort food, revitalising massage and a valedictory beer. ESCAPES Typically 2 night breaks packed with stunning rides on beautiful roads, gorgeous hotels and restaurants, pro support, no stressful transfers, and plenty of time to recharge those batteries. RAID From place to place, coast to coast, across mountain ranges and riding through history. We show you the way, put you in the best hotels, ride with you, and give you the best pro-team support over every kilometre of the road. ACADEMY Early season, early sunshine training. Brush up on your technique with descending, climbing and group ride coaching. Get some southern sun on your legs and prepare for your next challenge. HAUTE ROUTE Complete the Ultimate Challenge with the Ultimate Support. We are proud to be an official tour operator of the Haute Route. Come with us for the best accommodation, swift transfers, post race massages & full mechanical support.
CUSTOM TRIPS
Whether you’re looking to organise a unique team building event for colleagues; an exclusive corporate hospitality challenge; an unforgettable adventure with old friends, or a day trip to the Surrey Hills, La Fuga can design your perfect cycling tour. Our extensive cycling knowledge will ensure you’ll have a trip to remember with hand-picked hotels, beautiful cycling roads and all the support and backup to allow you to simply ride, relax and escape. Our custom tours provide all of, some of or more than the services of our standard tours. Including; airport pick-ups, support vehicles, bike rentals, insurance, custom kit, experienced guides, mechanics, therapists and more… Examples of our custom trips: Custom Maratona Trip – Group of eight friends wanting their own mechanic, guide & soigneur to experience this Sportive together Lucca to Cesanatico Raid – A group of work colleagues looking for a tough but beautiful ride from coast to coast in Italy over four days. Luxury Mallorca Academy – Six friends looking for a long weekend of winter riding with a guide, chef and support vehicle. You dream it – La Fuga will make it happen. Contact us or complete and enquiry form online and we will start working on your dream custom trip.
inter/ pring
10
GRAN CANARIA p.14 MALLORCA CYCLING ACADEMY p.16 COTE D’AZUR p.18 TOUR OF FLANDERS p.20 PARIS ROUBAIX p.22 PEARSON ISLE OF WIGHT p.24 CYCLIST TUSCAN ESCAPE p. 26 GRAN FONDO NOVE COLLI p.12
GRAN CANARIA
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With its warm weather, challenging climbs, idyllic quiet roads and stunning coastal and mountain scenery it is no wonder Gran Canaria has become a favourite for the pros. Our base is a tried and tested warm weather training destination for cyclists looking to build their season’s base or simply get-away and catch the early season tan-lines.
21 FEB–28 FEB (7 nights)
90 KM - Avg. Daily
▲▲ Early season warm weather riding ▲▲ Beautiful & challenging climbs
1,850 M - Avg. Daily
▲▲ Full La Fuga support - just turn up and ride £1,985 {single occupancy} £1,730 {double occupancy} £1,298 {non-rider}
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MALLORCA CYCLING ACADEMY
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The Cycling Academy is a completely new approach to Spring riding offering the opportunity to improve your riding skill and knowledge as well. The focus is on high quality coaching and fully supported rides to take your cycling to a new level for the challenges ahead in the year.
7 MAR–14 MAR (7 nights) 14 MAR–21 MAR (7 nights)
▲▲ Super smooth road surfaces
95 KM - Avg. Daily
▲▲ Coaching to improve cycle technique
VARIED
▲▲ Short sleeved riding £995 {single occupancy} £895 {double occupancy} £671 {non-rider}
15
The Cote d’Azur is synonymous with chic and elegance and with its ideal all-year round climate provides the perfect base for an early season cycling weekend. The French Riviera offers some stunning mountainous terrain and coastal roads allowing you to kick-start your 2015 cycling campaign, and with temperatures allowing us to ride in short sleeves jerseys. ▲▲ Squeeze three great rides into one weekend escape
13 MAR–15 MAR
(2 nights)
85 KM - Avg. Daily 1,770 M - Avg. Daily
▲▲ Based in a great hotel in Cannes ▲▲ Sharp climbs, quiet roads & exhilarating descents
16
£985 {single occupancy} £865 {double occupancy} £649 {non-rider}
COTE D’AZUR ESCAPE
17
The Ronde van Vlaanderen is one of the monuments of the professional cycling calendar. This unique event combines a tough route punctuated by the legendary Flanderian bergs and a passionate and knowledgeable audience to produce a spectacle that is unmistakably Belgian. ▲▲ Amazing atmosphere all weekend ▲▲ Tackle the infamous cobbled climbs ▲▲ Watch the pro race from the best spots the start at Bruges and the key climbs
3 APR–5 APR
(2 nights)
75 KM {short route} 134 KM {medium route} 254 KM {long route} 930 M {short route} 1600 M {medium route} 2100 M {long route}
£795 {single occupancy} £750 {double occupancy} £563 {non-rider}
18
TOUR OF FLANDERS
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PARIS ROUBAIX
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WEEKEND Paris Roubaix is one of the oldest and most gruelling races on the professional cycling calendar. First run in 1896, the tough route over a series of cobbled roads makes it a race for the true hardman. ▲▲ The unique challenge of the pave ▲▲ Celebrate the ride with drinks and a warm shower at the velodrome
10 APR–12 APR
(2 nights)
70 KM {short route} 141 KM {medium route} 170 KM {long route}
▲▲ Watch the pro race from the best spots £795 {single occupancy} £750 {double occupancy} £563 {non-rider}
21
Teaming up with Pearsons Cycles we escape the city for three days riding to the quiet idyllic roads of the Isle of Wight. Staying at a great hotel in Priory Bay this promises to be a great Spring weekender.
2 MAY–4 MAY
(2 nights)
▲▲ Discover new routes close to home ▲▲ Support vehicle following all the way ▲▲ Great accommodation and group atmosphere
85 KM - Avg. Daily 1,300 M - Avg. Daily
£550 {single occupancy} £750 {double occupancy} N/A {non-rider}
ISLE OF WIGHT WEEKENDER 22
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TUSCAN ESCAPE 24
Home to a rhythmical, rolling landscape of vine yards, olive groves, and incredible Renaissance architecture, Tuscany is wonderful for any escape. For cyclists, Tuscany immerses us into a special region that has defined cycling culture. ▲▲ One of the most beautiful riding locations in the world ▲▲ Stay in 13th century walled village
22 MAY–25 MAY
(3 nights)
116 KM - Avg. Daily 1967 M - Avg. Daily
▲▲ Tackle the famous strade bianche £1,500 {single occupancy} £1,350 {double occupancy} £1,000 {non-rider}
25
GRAN FONDO NOVE COLLI
Started in 1970 by a group of friends, the race now attracts over 10,000 riders from all over Italy and beyond. Starting from Cesenatico, the route heads into the hills that mark the Marche / Emilia Romagna border. The hills come thick and fast and the constant undulations are sure to take their toll by the finish. ▲▲ One of the Italy’s most popular sportives ▲▲ Stunning course over rolling Italian countryside ▲▲ Great hotel & amazing food in classy Cesanatico
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22 MAY–25 MAY
(3 nights)
116 KM - {medium route} 200 KM - {long route} 1871 M - {medium} 3840 M - {medium}
£1,100 {single occupancy} £995 {double occupancy} £746 {non-rider}
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ummer
28
p.30 p.32 p.34 p.36 p.38 p.40 p.42 p.44
GRAN FONDO STELVIO WEEKEND ANNECY ESCAPE ALPINE RAID MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES LA MARMOTTE ETAPE DU TOUR DOLOMITES RAID HAUTE ROUTE
You know about the 21 famous hairpins on Alpe d’Huez, right? Well, the Granfondo Stelvio has 48. You know all about the monstrous Tourmalet at 2,115 metres, yes? The Stelvio tops out at 2,757 metres. There’s just nowhere else like it. ▲▲ Climb the Stelvio & Mortirolo ▲▲ La Fuga pro support to help you conquer this tough sportive ▲▲ Guided warm up ride around Bormio
30
5 JUN–8 JUN
(3 nights)
60 KM - {short route} 138 KM - {medium route} 151 KM - {long route} 1871 M - {short} 3840 M - {medium} 4058 M - {long}
£1,250 {single occupancy} £1,095 {double occupancy} £821 {non-rider}
GRAN FONDO STELVIO WEEKEND
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ANNECY ESCAPE
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La Fuga presents three days of riding around the beautiful lake side town of Annecy. Flaunting challenging climbs in all directions, panoramic lakeside routes, and rolling, forested roads through the Massif des Bauges, Annecy is the perfect base for cyclists. ▲▲ Stunning hotel on the shores of Lake Annecy ▲▲ Great view of the lake after long alpine climbs
12 JUN–14 JUN (2 nights)
113 KM - Avg. Daily 1,327 M - Avg. Daily
▲▲ Support vehicle & experienced guides just turn up and ride! £985 {single occupancy} £865 {double occupancy} £649 {non-rider}
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ALPINE RAID The Alpine Raid follows the classic Route des Grandes Alpes, taking in the historical battlegrounds of the Tour de France and some of the most majestic mountain passes in the world. Starting in Evian overlooking Lake Geneva, the Raid will head south through the Alpes de Haute Provence to the finish on the Cote D’Azur in Nice. ▲▲ Ride all the famous climbs of the Alps in one week ▲▲ Support vehicle & experienced guides just turn up and ride! ▲▲ Celebrate finishing on the Cote d’Azur
20 JUN–27 JUN (7 nights)
130 KM - Avg. Daily 1,967 M - Avg. Daily
£2,950 {single occupancy} £2,650 {double occupancy} £1,988 {non-rider}
35
MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES
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The Dolomites lay a claim to being the most beautiful mountains in Europe. The many passes in the area are some of the most brilliantly designed mountain roads in the world, using incredibly consistent gradients to conquer the forbidding terrain. The Maratona’s twenty-five editions have seen it grow into an internationally renowned event that visitors return to year after year. ▲▲ One of the world’s most stunning sportives ▲▲ Warm up ride & bike tune up the day before
2 JUL–6 JUL
(4 nights)
55 KM {short route} 106 KM {medium route} 138 KM {long route} 1780 M {short} 3130 M {medium} 4230 M {long}
▲▲ Incredible Tyrolean hospitality £1,695 {single occupancy} £1,500 {double occupancy} £1,125 {non-rider}
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LA MARMOTTE The original sportive event, La Marmotte still stands astride the genre, its route carved in stone against the backdrop of Europe’s most imposing mountain climbs.
2 JUL–5 JUL
(3 nights)
▲▲ Epic alpine sportive scaling four legendary climbs ▲▲ La Fuga feed stations along the route ▲▲ Hotel (and a hot shower) close to the finish line
174 KM 5180 M
£1,195 {single occupancy} £1,050 {double occupancy} £788 {non-rider}
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ETAPE DU TOUR
40
Ask anybody in the world to name a bike race and you will get the overwhelming response: the Tour de France. Now, ask them to think of a sportive and you will get a similarly overwhelming answer: L’Etape du Tour. This is the big one, the one everybody wants to be able to write on the first line of their cycling CV.
17 JUL–20 JUL
(3 nights)
142 KM
▲▲ Expert support and advice from your dedicated La Fuga back up team
4500 M
▲▲ Acclimatise to the mountains before the ride ▲▲ La Fuga feed stations along the route
£995 {single occupancy} £895{double occupancy} £800 {non-rider}
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DOLOMITES RAID
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Set amongst the beauty of the Dolomites and Italian Alps the Dolomites Raid is a tough challenge with a chance to ride such greats as Stelvio, Gavia and the Sella Ronda.
11 JUL–18 JUL
(7 nights)
▲▲ Stunning scenery ▲▲ Stay in beautiful hotels with great food
110 KM - Avg. Daily
▲▲ Ride some of cycling’s most legendary climbs 2400 M - Avg. Daily
£2,950 {single occupancy} £2,650 {double occupancy}
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HAUTE ROUTE
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Pyrenees / Alps / Dolomites The Haute Route cycling events are ‘the highest and toughest cyclosportives in the world’. More demanding than any other week of riding you’ve done; tackling 800km over 7 days of consecutive riding, with 20,000m of climbing over 20 celebrated cols.
14 AUG–22 AUG Pyrenees (8 nights) Alps 22 AUG–30 AUG (8 nights) 30 AUG–7 SEP Dolomites (8 nights)
▲▲ Bike service before each stage ▲▲ Best accommodation for each state & speedy transfers ▲▲ Soigneurs to provide massages after each stage
0 KM - Avg. Daily 0 M - Avg. Daily
£4,500 {single occupancy} £4,200 {double occupancy}
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utumn
46
Gran Fondo Cinque Terre p.50 Gran Fondo Prosecco p.52 Giro Di Lombardia p.54 L’Eroica p.56 Tuscan Raid p.48
GRAN FONDO
CINQUE TERRE
48
The terrain for this Gran Fondo is perfectly suited for an end of season event providing a realistic challenge for the time of year. Two route options are offered, 157km (3100 of climbing) and 86km (1600m of climbing). The full route offers some great scenery as it winds and undulates its way along the Italian riviera.
11 SEP–14SEP (3 nights)
▲▲ Colourful coastal location
87 KM - {short route} 149 KM - {long route}
▲▲ Spectacular route in a UNESCO World Heritage site
1100 M - {short} 3000 M - {long}
▲▲ End of season sunshine £1,200 {single occupancy} £995 {double occupancy} £800 {non-rider}
49
GRAN FONDO PROSECCO
50
Waiters lining the streets with popping bottles, jets training coloured smoke over start gate, cannons sounding the off, routes showcasing classic Italian vineyards and feed stops overflowing with Prosecco. There’s only one place you’ll find all this: Granfondo Prosecco. ▲▲ Great sportive to end your season ▲▲ Amazing feed stations
2 OCT–5 OCT (3 nights)
97.2 KM 1350 M
▲▲ Discover the beautiful region of Italy
£1,100 {single occupancy} £950 {double occupancy} £713 {non-rider}
51
GIRO DI LOMBARDIA
The autumn colours at this time of year around Lake Como’s shoreline provide a beautiful backdrop to the Giro di Lombardia, the finale of the Italian professional cycling season. This is your chance to join the tifosi for ‘the race of the falling leaves’.
2 OCT–5 OCT
(3 nights)
▲▲ Ride the course & explore the roads around Lake Como
100 KM - Avg. Daily
▲▲ Watch the Race of the Leaves from the best spots
1500 M - Avg. Daily
▲▲ Visit Madonna del Ghisallo £1,100 {single occupancy} £950 {double occupancy} £713 {non-rider}
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L’EROICA
Held on the strada bianche, or gravel roads, of the region, this event recreates the golden age of cycling with many participants using vintage bikes, wearing authentic race jerseys and fuelling themselves round the 200km course with bread and brandy. It’s a classic event that every keen cyclist needs to do at least once. ▲▲ Soak the atmosphere of this unique event ▲▲ Traditional Tuscan food and drink at feed stations ▲▲ Beautiful route on the strade bianche
2 OCT–5 OCT
(3 nights)
75 KM - {short route} 135 KM - {medium route} 209 KM - {long route} 1430 M - {short} 1940 M - {medium} 3619 M - {long}
£1,100 {single occupancy} £950 {double occupancy} £713 {non-rider}
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TUSCAN RAID
Home to a rhythmical, rolling landscape of vine yards, olive groves, and incredible Renaissance architecture, Tuscany is wonderful for any escape. For cyclists, Tuscany immerses us into a special region that has defined cycling culture. ▲▲ One of the most beautiful riding locations in the world ▲▲ Enjoy amazing food and drink
8 OCT–12 OCT
(4 nights)
116 KM - Avg. Daily 1967 M - Avg. Daily
▲▲ Tackle the famous strade bianche £1,250 {single occupancy} £1,400 {double occupancy} N/A {non-rider}
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+44 (0) 208 876 5665 lafuga.cc