On the trail of pros. On the Valais Bike Tour with racing bike pro Steve Morabito.
Intro
Valais: the spectacular setting of many stages in the Tour de France and Tour de Suisse. But these cycling highlights are not just for the professionals. On the Valais Bike Tour, leisure cyclists can explore the most beautiful routes in Valais over ten days.
Finhaut-Émosson
The Emosson resevoir, situated above the Trient Valley, was brought into service in 1972 to satisfy a high demand for electricity from all over the French-speaking part of Switzerland.
Hint
Steve Morabito was right at the front in the leading group as the Tour de France 2016 came to the canton he calls home. Thousands lined the streets and cheered for the professionals on the final stage from Martigny to the Emosson Dam, covering a difference in altitude of 2,076m.The Valais native ended the stage ranked ninth. One thing he will never forget is the support from his fans.
My fan club wrote my name on the road and they were waving hundreds of Valais flags! I will never ever forget that day!
Leisure cyclists can experience what the professionals went through for themselves. From the valley, the road winds up through vineyards and forests up to the Col de la Forclaz mountain pass. After an exhilarating downhill, there is just one rule for the last 10km: grit your teeth and hit the pedals!
The road goes past the quaint mountain village of Finhaut, up around 700m in altitude to the Emosson reservoir. Instead of a crowd of fans, tired cyclists will be greeted by a life-size tyrannosaurus rex, the mascot of the final destination of the Tour de France.
The region is famous for its dinosaur footprints, which are more than 240 million years old.
On the tracks of the Tour de France
From Bern, the 17th stage of the Tour de France 2016 heads to Valais via the Saanenmöser and Col des Mosses mountain passes and the town of Aigle. From Martigny, the route ascends towards Col de la Forclaz with an average gradient of 7.9% over 13km. After a short downhill, one final challenge up to the Emosson reservoir awaits: 10.4km at an average gradient of 8.4%, with the final stretch the steepest, at 12.3%. The section from Martigny to the Emosson Dam is part of the Trophy of the Valais dams.
Discover the highlights of the Valais along 740km.
Over his professional careerspanning more than 12 years, Steve Morabito has cycled countless dream routes around the world, but his heart will always belong to Valais. That is why he has been extensively involved in the development of the Valais cycling routes.
Along with seven other trails to the Dam, the route to the Lac d’Emosson is a part of this tour. “We want to show off the treasures of Valais on a single tour along the Rhone Route. With a total of 740km, over 10 stages and 25 ascents, this is the best way to enjoy Valais,” says Morabito.
Barrage d’Émosson.
We want to show off the treasures of Valais on a single tour along the Rhone Route.
Four-time Tour de France finisher Steve Morabito covers around 30,000km on his bike each year. You will not only find him on the Valais mountain passes, but also down in the Rhone Valley – where there is plenty for leisure cyclists, too.
Between Martigny and Leuk, the 82km of the Valais vineyard path goes through the historic Roman town of Martigny and irresistible wine-making villages such as Saillon – perfect places for a break.
After a long day road cycling with friends, what nicer way to round it off than with some Valais delicacies and a wine tasting?