La Course returns to one-day format with race in the Alps
(Cyclingnews.com)

The La Course by Le Tour women`s race will return to a one-day format in 2018 with a 118km stage in the Alps that emulates stage 10 of the Tour de France, from Annecy to Le Grand Bornand. La Course started out in 2014 as a circuit race on the Champs Elysées ahead of the arrival of the men`s peloton in Paris. This year, organisers ASO sought to expand the event, striking upon an unorthodox two-day format that saw a summit finish on the Col d´Izoard followed by a handicapped time trial in Marseille, both borrowing from the corresponding stages in the men´s race. The 2018 edition of La Course was unveiled in Paris´ Palais des Congres on Tuesday as the route for the Tour de France was officially revealed by race director Christian Prudhomme. Back to a one-day event, though not back on the Champs Elysées, it will start by Lake Annecy and finish in Le Grand Bornand, taking place on July 17 ahead of the men´s stage.ADVERTISEMENT While the men will cover 159km and four major climbs, the women will cover 118km and the last two of those climbs - the Col de Romme and Col de la Colombière - before the run into Le Grand Bornand. The route will eschew the Croix de Fry and the much-anticipated Glières - an 11 per cent climb followed by two kilometres of gravel roads - that are found in the first half of the men´s parcours. It will join the men´s route at Bonneville before taking on the Romme (8.8km at 8.9 per cent) and Colombière (7.5km at 8.5 per cent) combination - separated by a short descent - before the 15km downhill run into Le Grand Bornand. This year´s La Course sparked mixed reaction and debate, with some feeling the multi-day format and move to the mountains and was a step in the right direction, while others bemoaned the short 67km length of the Izoard stage.  You can read more at Cyclingnews.com