Tour du Réunion is one of the most remote races on the calendar of Division 9. This one day race features the highlights of the island of Réunion, an overseas department of France. The remoteness of the race sometimes prevents teams from participating, because usually the economy of a Division 9 team isn't too great. Therefore, the competitors in Réunion are usually among the strongest in Division 9.
The race star...
Read moreTour du Réunion is one of the most remote races on the calendar of Division 9. This one day race features the highlights of the island of Réunion, an overseas department of France. The remoteness of the race sometimes prevents teams from participating, because usually the economy of a Division 9 team isn't too great. Therefore, the competitors in Réunion are usually among the strongest in Division 9.
The race starts in the capital of Saint-Denis, in the Jardin de l'État, the public gardens. The riders head east, following the coastline for 25 kilometres, which takes them to Saint-André. Here the riders leave the east coast, and they immediately start with the climb to the Pieton des Neiges (Snow Peak). Even though Réunion has a tropical climate, riders occasionally ride along white slopes when climbing the mountain, because it is so high. The sleeping volcano is the highest peak on the island, and with its last eruption dating from 20.000 BC, the fire has to come from the riders. Its steep slopes however usually ensure a spectacular ride, and the bunch is rarely together after only 2 kilometres of the climb. The climb is 35 kilometres long and takes the riders to the edge of the caldeira on 3069 metres. This makes the average gradient just under 9%, which makes the climb extremely tough. The field of competitors is usually extremely shattered at this point, and the final winner is almost always among the first fifteen riders to pass the top.
The riders start a long descent to the town of La Tampon. Strong downhillers might use the descent to make up a gap or increase their lead, however smart riders know that they have to use this descent to rest. Even though the toughest climb is behind them, they still need to face another climb of the hors catégorie. A little after the town of La Tampon, the riders encounter the small hill Les Trous Blanc. At 15 kilometre of the finish, the riders are at a 1.000 metres above sea level and at the foot of the infamous and very active volcano Piton de la Fournaise. Its peak lies at 2.632 metres above sea level, however there are no roads which lead all the way up. The finish line therefore lies at the parking of the Pas de Bellecombe at 2.270 metres, which makes the average gradient just over 8%. The top of the Pieton de la Fournaise, which is as barren as the Mont Ventoux, is the scene of an often dramatic finale, with riders occasionally being covered in sulphur-smelling clouds, and leaders coming to a complete standstill in the last kilometre.
