Homegrown Gravel Adventure, Franklin GA - February 22nd 2025

GFNY Grand Ballon

July 20 2025
Alsace France
Date Confirmed
Add to My Favourites
 
Distances: 36, 90 km
Difficulty: Moderate terrain with rolling short steep hills or moderate, sustained climbs
The long course of GFNY Grand Ballon will take you through the heart of the scenic Balloons des Vosges Nature Park, to test yourself on the most legendary and demanding climbs of the Hautes Vosges Mountains.

The race starts from the historic center of Thann, at the gateway to the Alsace Wine Route. The climbing starts 1km into the race, up the little-known climb Le Plan Diebold, just before joining the ascent of the mythical Grand Ballon. Grand Ballon is highest point of the Vosges Mountains and its road culminates at 1325m.

After descending Grand Ballon, you will race along the ridges towards the Markstein Ski Station at KM 35 and then you’ll reach the Florival Valley and its small typical Alsatian villages. Your next Vosges climbs are the Col du Fisrtplan at KM 70, the very demanding climb Wasserbourg with its maximum incline of more than 21%, Petit Ballon at KM 86.5, Col du Platzewasel at KM 103, Route des Crétes, a second ascent to the top of Grand Ballon at KM 117 and finally the last climb, Viel Armand, a place of historical significance from the First World War at KM 128. The descent will lead you through Cernay before taking the Thann Road and completing the race. Beware of the headwind and stay with a group, your determination to reach the finish line will help you get through this flat section.

Make no mistake, we are in the middle of the mountains with the well-known climbs of the Tour de France will leave you very little respite, but the breathtaking views on the Vosges Balloons and the magnificent Alsace Plain will make you forget the challenges.

Back in Thann, a festive post-race celebration and meal await you. Celebrate your accomplishment in the historic center of Thann after a day of enjoying the surrounding nature.

LONG COURSE IS A COMPETITION: Only the finishers of the long course are eligible for category rankings and Overall and Podium awards. If you want to race and be ranked in your category, you must complete the long course. Top 10% of finishers in each age group earn a spot in the Qualifier Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY Grand Ballon

 
Start Located At: Thann, Alsace, France
 
 
Add to My Rides
Alert Us
Email
Register
Facebook
Instagram
UTube
Strava
Website
Included

Discover what we have in registration for you :

Each event offers 2 courses:

- A long, timed, classified course

- An unclassified medium timed course to discover the world of GFNY France

 

And always included in your registration:

- The official jersey : Each runner will receive the official GFNY jersey, which will be the official outfit of the race. Designed in Italy, this jersey combines style and performance.

- Timekeeping : All cyclosportives are timed. Each participant receives a frame plate fitted with a personal timing chip. Results are available in real time in the finish area on race day, and can be consulted online afterwards.

- Aidstation, safety and mechanical support : Each participant will receive a wristband with the number of the hotline to contact in case of need. Motorbike support and rescue teams will be on hand to ensure your safety throughout the race. In addition, a mechanical support service will be available to carry out repairs before and during the event.

 - Your finisher's medal : Every participant who finishes a GFNY will receive a medal, regardless of the distance covered.

 - Your different medals : By participating in three GFNY events during the year, you will receive the exclusive GFNY 3X 2025 finisher medal. Over the course of your cycling career, if you finish 10, 20, 30 or 40 GFNY events, you will be honored with the prestigious GFNY 10X, 20X, 30X or 40X finisher medals.

- Post-race meal : Your meal is included in your registration, regardless of the distance covered.

Prize / Race Categories

Globalement m / f
18 à 34 m / f
35 à 39 m / f
40 à 44 m / f
45 à 49 m / f
50 à 54 m / f
55 à 59 m / f
60 à 64 m / f
65 à 69 m / f
70 à 74 m / f
75 à 79 m / f
80+ m / f

 
Facilities
Parking
Toilets
Registration On the Day
Pre-Packet Pickups
 
Support for Participants
Route Signposted
Route Card
First Aid
Emergency Contact No
SAG Wagon
Outriders
Escort / Police Escort
Roving Mechanical Support
 
Community
Raffle
After Party
 
Features
Course Timing
Category / Race Prizes
Finishing Medals
Results Within 24 Hours
Photos
Downloadable GPS files
Finish Line Chute
 
Nutrition
Feed / Aid Stations
Post Event Meal(s) Provided As Part of Entry
Number of Aid Stations: 5
 
gfny
Oct 11 2024 - NEWS: Rojas and Luza take Victory 4th GFNY Cusco in the Peruvian Andes
Oct 11 2024 - NEWS: Maple and Morel take Victory at Michelob Ultra GFNY Maryland
Jul 25 2024 - NEWS: Meyer and Devaux fastest at Sold Out GFNY Grand Ballon
Jun 27 2024 - NEWS: Prieto and Badorc take victory at GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet
Jun 20 2024 - NEWS: Reviglio and Alleman fastest at 4th Annual GFNY La Vaujany – L’Alpe d’Huez
Jun 19 2024 - NEWS: Gorodetsky and Collins fastest at GFNY Pennsylvania-York
May 22 2024 - NEWS: Tibor Del Grosso wins the GP and Caddeo and Beccaria the GFNY Championship
May 19 2024 - NEWS: Lorenza and Caddeo win 2024 Michelob Ultra GFNY NYC Championship
May 19 2024 - NEWS: Tibor Del Grosso wins inaugural Gran Premio New York City from four man breakaway
May 16 2024 - NEWS: Inaugural Gran Premio New York City and 12th Michelob Ultra GFNY World Championship
May 09 2024 - NEWS: Belgian team Lotto dstny is racing GP New York City
Apr 26 2024 - NEWS: De Silvestris beats Frederick in sprint finish at inaugural GFNY Miami
Mar 22 2024 - NEWS: Asconeguy and García win GFNY Uruguay-Punta del Este
Mar 28 2024 - NEWS: Vercammen and Chavano fastest at Sold Out at GFNY Cannes
Mar 15 2024 - NEWS: Cedeno and Otero fastest at GFNY Republica Dominicana 2024
May 15 2016 - RESULTS: New Yorker Michael Margarite (Weather Channel Racing) wins the 6th Gran Fondo New York
May 19 2014 - RESULTS: Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York
May 20 2013 - RESULTS: Gran Fondo New York
Feb 16 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Bali
Mar 16 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Republica Dominicana
Mar 16 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Punta Del Este
Mar 23 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Cannes
Apr 06 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Pistoia
Apr 13 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Miami
May 04 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Zapopan
May 04 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Bento Gonçalves
May 16 2025 - EVENT: NYC Bike Expo
May 18 2025 - EVENT: GFNY World Championship NYC
May 18 2025 - EVENT: Gran Premio New York City
May 25 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Villard de Lans
Jun 08 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Paracas
Jun 15 2025 - EVENT: GFNY La Vaujany Alpe d'Huez
Jun 22 2025 - EVENT: GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet
 
gfnyseries