The Alpe d’Huez Triathlon is celebrating its 20th anniversary

The Triathlon de l’Alpe d’Huez returns from August 2 to 6 for its 20th edition. This emblematic and magical sporting event is an event renowned for its difficulty and the beauty of its courses. Every year, it brings together nearly 5000 athletes from many countries, ready to take on a demanding challenge in the heart of the Oisans massif. The course combines physical effort and endurance management with three demanding events:

• The Triathlon L : 2.2km swimming / 118km cycling / 19.2km running
• The Triathlon M : 1.5km swimming / 28km cycling / 6.4km running
• The Duathlon : 6.5km running/ 15km cycling/ 5.5km running

The race begins with swimming in the Verney lake, whose cool waters immediately impose a steady pace. It continues with the cycling segment, marked by the iconic climb of the Alpe d’Huez and its 21 bends. This climb, regular but challenging, is the key moment of the race and tests the physical and mental abilities of the triathletes. The running race then takes place on the heights of the resort, on a hilly route offering wide views of the surrounding mountains.

The Alpe d’Huez Triathlon is recognized as a reference event, where sporting performance, personal commitment and natural surroundings combine to offer an unforgettable experience to all participants.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Triathlon, the L format exceptionally goes from 1800 to 2000 bibs. All have already been sold, just like those of the middle distance. But it is still possible to register by opting for the Dossard Vert.
In 2025, more than 800 triathletes opted for this specific bib, or 17% of the participants who gave up their prize (medal, T-shirt, backpack, etc.) to limit their impact on the environment.

A triple climb for the 2026 edition

IOn 24 and 25 July 2026, Alpe d’Huez hosted an edition unlike any other. For the first time in history, the Tour de France and Alpe d’Huez joined forces to stage not one but two Tour stages (Stages 19 and 20) in the legendary Isère mountain resort.

Adding to the excitement was L’Étape du Tour de France, one of the most demanding amateur cycling events in the world. Covering 170 km with 5,400 metres of elevation gain, it brought together 15,200 riders from 79 countries on 19 July.

L’Étape du Tour de France podium

🥇 Luca Cavallo — 5h 20m
🥈 Thibaut Clément — 5h 24m
🥉 Antoine Berger — 5h 32m

Among the women, who represented 5% of the field, Victoria Stansfield claimed victory in 6h 19m, ahead of Martina Cavallo and Annalisa Prato.

“I’ve never had such a good day on a bike. It was incredible—the best ever! It was extremely tough, especially the final climb over Sarenne. It was the first time in a race that I completely cracked, to the point where I felt I simply couldn’t turn the pedals anymore.”

Tour de France – Stage 19 (Gap → Alpe d’Huez)

🥇 Tadej Pogačar — 3h 17m 57s
🥈 Lenny Martinez (+6s)
🥉 Richard Carapaz (+9s)

Tour de France – Stage 20 (Bourg d’Oisans → Alpe d’Huez)

🥇 Richard Carapaz — 4h 59m 39s
🥈 Remco Evenepoel (+26s)
🥉 Sepp Kuss (+31s)

“There was a moment when I simply couldn’t believe what was happening. At the start of the stage, my only goal was the polka-dot jersey. But after the first two climbs, I decided to attack for the stage victory. It was incredibly hard!”
(Richard Carapaz, speaking to L’Équipe)

The Tour de France, inseparable from the Alpe d’Huez

The history of the Tour de France is inseparable from that of our mountains. The Alpe d’Huez occupies a special place, both for its difficulty and for the popular fervour it evokes. The ascent of the 21 bends has become over the decades one of the strongest symbols of world cycling. Alpe d’Huez appears for the first time on the Tour de France route in 1952. That year, the Italian Fausto Coppi scored a historic victory there, alone, which marked the spirits and inaugurated the legend of the place. Since then, the climb, about 14 kilometers long with an average slope of more than 8%, is regularly on the program of the Grande Boucle. Its 21 numbered corners, each bearing the name of a stage winner, have become iconic.

Over the years, the Alpe d’Huez has been the scene of mythical moments. Champions like Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Marco Pantani or even Miguel Indurain wrote part of their legend there. Alpe d’Huez is also famous for its unique atmosphere. Hundreds of thousands of spectators from all over the world line the road and transform the climb into a real open-air stadium. The Dutch supporters, particularly numerous, have even earned Turn 7 the nickname of “Dutch Turn”, as their presence and encouragement are spectacular at this place all dressed in orange for the occasion.